Irish United Nations Veterans Association at wreath laying ceremony in Letterkenny

The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) Post 19 held their Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony in Letterkenny. 

Inspector Paul Gallagher and Inspector Tony Byrne represented An Garda Síochána at the ceremony. 

The ceremony was held at Conwal Cemetery in memory of the 97 members of the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and Civilian Personnel who died while serving on UN peacekeeping missions throughout the world since 1958. Across The Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, Sarajevo, East Timor, Liberia, Haiti and Europe.

Garda Sergeant Paul Reid was fatally injured in Sarajevo on the 18.05.95. Earlier this year, on the 30th anniversary of his death, the Garda Retired Members Association-Donegal North Branch (GSRMA) and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) held the ceremony at the UN Peacekeeping Memorial at Conwal Cemetery. 

On this date in 1995, Sergeant Paul Reid and his colleague, Garda Phillip Carr, were returning to base from their peace monitoring duties at Sarajevo Airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As they travelled through the city, their official vehicle was struck by a sniper's bullet, which caused it to go out of control and crash, injuring Garda Carr and fatally injuring Sergeant Reid.

The wreath-laying ceremony is held annually in memory of the 97 personnel who lost their lives while on duty for the United Nations.