60 years since the biggest loss of life of Irish soldiers overseas

60 years ago today, the biggest loss of life of Irish soldiers in any single incident overseas took place.

The incident, known as the Niemba ambush, was commemorated on Saturday, at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6 with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Garden outside the Garrison Church.

Wreaths were laid separately in a reduced ceremony conducted in line with Covid-19 guidelines.

This significant moment in the history of the Defence Forces took place while these troops were serving as UN peacekeepers with 33 Infantry Battalion as part of the Organisation des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC).

On that day Lt Kevin Gleeson took his 11-man patrol over a bridge on the Luweyeye River near the town of Niemba where Baluba tribesmen ambushed them. After a courageous fight against overwhelming numbers, nine of the patrol were killed.

One member of the patrol, 20-year-old Tpr Anthony Browne from Rialto, Dublin, survived the initial attack but was subsequently killed. His body was not found until November 1962. Tpr Browne was also posthumously awarded the first ever An Bonn Míleata Calmachta (Military Medal for Gallantry), the Defence Forces highest military honour, for his conduct during the ambush. His citation reads:

“He endeavoured to create an opportunity to allow an injured comrade to escape by firing his Gustaf, thereby drawing attention to his own position, which he must have been aware would endanger his life. He had a reasonable opportunity to escape because he was not wounded but chose to remain with an injured comrade.”

Those that lost their lives were: Lt Kevin Gleeson (30), Sgt Hugh Gaynor (29), Cpl Peter Kelly (25), Cpl Liam Dougan (34), Pte Matthew Farrell (22), Tpr Thomas Fennell (18), Tpr Anthony Browne MMG (20), Pte Michael McGuinn (21) and Pte Gerard Killeen (27).

Two members of the patrol survived, Pte Joseph Fitzpatrick (then 21) and Pte Thomas Kenny (then 24).

From 1960 to 1964, 12 Defence Forces units with almost 6,200 troops, served with ONUC. In those four years 26 Irish troops paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace– 17 died as a result of hostile action, 3 died from natural causes and 6 died in accidents. Of the thirty troop-contributing countries, Ireland had the fourth highest number of fatalities after Ghana (49 deaths), India (39) and Ethiopia (28).

In total, eighty-seven (87) members of Óglaigh na hÉireann have lost their lives on overseas deployment. Of these, thirty-six (36) personnel have died as a result of hostile action overseas.

The United Nations Operation in the Congo (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo) known as ONUC was established by Security Council resolution 143 on July 14, 1960.

This was a result of the Congolese government requesting military assistance from the UN to maintain territorial integrity. ONUC was originally established to ensure the withdrawal of Belgian forces, to assist the Government in maintaining law and order, and to provide technical assistance.

READ: The memories of a now-deceased Athlone resident who was on the mission to Congo with the 33rd Battalion.