(L-R) - Colonel Rafal Nowak, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Campbell, Captain Tony Smith, Commandant John Griffin, Artur Michalski (Charges d'Affairs of Poland in Ireland), Clare Tiernan (Dept. of Defence), unnamed member of the Polish Armed Forces. * Missing from photo: Commandant William Bastic and Sergeant Major Patrick Enfield.

Local Defence Forces members awarded Bronze Medal of the Polish Army

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Local members of the Irish Defence Forces have been awarded the Bronze Medal of the Polish Army in recognition of their outstanding service and contribution to multinational cooperation during their deployment with the 125th Infantry Battalion in UNIFIL.

Moate native Commandant William Bastic, Athlone resident Lt Col Shane Rockett, and Sergeant Major Patrick Enfield, who serves at Custume Barracks, were presented with the medals in acknowledgement of their dedication to strengthening cooperation between Irish and Polish personnel serving together in Lebanon.

Three other members also received the honour, including Colonel Michael Campbell, Commandant John Griffin, and Captain Tony Smith.

The parade prior to the departure of the 125th Battalion was held at Custume Barracks. The troops of the 125th Battalion served in Lebanon from November 2024 to May 2025.

The Defence Forces said it "values the strong and enduring partnership between Ireland and Poland, both at home and overseas, and congratulates all recipients on this well-deserved recognition."

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