KILDARE: Memorial bench unveiled in Curragh Camp in honour of former soldier

A memorial “buddy bench” was unveiled in the Curragh Camp on August 27 in memory of a former soldier living in Brownstown who died trying to save the life of another man.

The occasion coincided with the annual wreath laying Mass for Post 11 Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA).

Deputy Chairman of Post 11 IUNVA, Dan Whelan said: “We in conjunction with Mr Jack Fahy, Governor of the Midlands Prison made a buddy bench for us to honour a young man who earlier this year at Grattan Bridge in Dublin dived in to save another man and sadly both drowned.”

A former member of the Defence Forces, former Trooper James (Jimmy) Nicholl was laid to rest in St Conleth’s Cemetery in Newbridge following funeral mass in St Brigid’s Church in The Curragh on Monday, April 17.

Mr Whelan added: “We as a group got together with the Prison Service Training Section chief Joyce Clarke got the buddy bench made to be placed in the garden to remember the heroism of the former soldier who laid down his life for another.”

The attendance included politicians from the family’s hometown of Portarlington, Dr Cathal Berry; GOC for the DFTC, Brig Gen Brendan McGuiness, Minister Martin Heydon, councillors Peggy Dwyer and Anne Connolly.

Also present were members of IUNVA, Glengarry club, Military Police, ONE and family members of deceased members of the Defence Forces.