Posthumous medal for Laois Congo veteran from Abbeyleix
Family of the late John Maher honoured by United Nations Laois veterans association Post 27
A Laois soldier who served on one of the Irish Army's first peacekeeping missions abroad over 60 years, has been honoured posthumously for his brave work.
The late John Maher from Abbeyleix had served with the 36th Infantry Battalion in 1961 on a mission to Congo in Africa, a mission where several members of the unit were killed in a battle.
He passed away in recent years but last October 10, his family visited the Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post 27 base in Portlaoise, for a ceremony in his honour.
Front: Nieces of the late John Maher who served in the Congo, Paula, Orla and Tina Maher with members of Post 27 Irish UN Veterans Association, Paddy Harding, Jimmy Hutchinson, Tommy Breen, Joe McEvoy, Denis Farrell, Charlie Mott, Michael Brophy and John Molloy.
The presentation is one of many made by IUNVA to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Irish Defence Forces deployments to the Congo, which lasted from 1960 to 1964.
Charlie Mott spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live afterwards.
"We were honoured to be able to present this medal and certificate to the family of John Maher. Certificates were presented all over Ireland, first to Congo veterans who are still living. If anyone in the area requires such a certificate, they can contact us with the army number.
"It is vitally important that we remember those people who were the pathfinders, the first people who left these shores as peacekeepers. We have six members who served in the Congo and they were presented with medals at The Curragh this year.
"We in Post 27 received two letters, one from the Taoiseach and another from the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, to mark the 60th anniversary and we can give copies with the certificate," he said.
Post 27 is the support group in Laois for veterans who served time in the United Nations peacekeeping forces. Their base is at 17 Church Street, with new members welcome. Call 085 2180 190 for enquiries.