Ireland's Jadotville troops honoured at event in Australia

A son of a Siege of Jadotville veteran was invited to lay a wreath in Australia yesterday (Tuesday) to honour the Irish troops who served during the siege in the Congo 62 years ago.

Tuesday, October 24, was international United Nations Day, which was celebrated worldwide.

To mark the occasion, an event in Sydney was organised by UN Veteran organisations supported and recognised by the Australian Government.

It was set to include a wreath laying to be carried out by Martin O'Connor, son of Jadotville veteran Corporal Tom O'Connor.

The Irish Embassy in Australia was due to be represented at yesterday's event, which was seen as significant international recognition for the Irish men who served in Jadotville, many of whom were from Athlone and other parts of the Midlands.

A statement about the Sydney event which was shared by Leo Quinlan, son of Commandant (Major) Pat Quinlan who led the Irish 'A' Company troops in Jadotville, highlighted the very young age of many of the Irish soldiers at the time. Their ages meant that two mothers of sons fighting in Jadotville collected children's allowance payments for these sons in the post office in Athlone while the siege was taking place in September 1961. These two boys were only 15 years old.

Thirteen or so of the Irish in the Siege of Jadotville were only 16 years old — and some of them celebrated their 17th birthdays as prisoners of war in the Congo.

The average age of the men of Jadotville was 18.5 years old.

After coming under attack, these UN peacekeepers from Ireland successfully defended their positions in Jadotville for five days and nights, until they ran out of ammunition, food and water.

They served as prisoners of war in Congo for over a month, from Sunday, September 17, until their release on Wednesday, October 25, 1961.

The exploits of the men resulted in 34 of them being recommended for medals for leadership and courage.

Two of those recommended had been just 16 years old.

These medals have yet to be awarded, and a campaign is ongoing in relation to this.

The statement shared by Leo Quinlan pointed out that, as a result of the events in Jadotville, many veterans suffered what is now recognised as 'moral injury', as a consequence of how they were treated by higher authority on their return to Ireland. Jadotville, as depicted in books, radio and TV documentaries and a Netflix movie, is the largest battle the Irish Army has been involved in alone against a superior foreign enemy since the formation of the Irish State in 1922.