Mayor Ridge to launch new historical book by Michael Whelan in County Hall Tallaght on Thursday 2nd

27/02/2006

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

South Dublin County Council Celebrates 50 Years of Ireland’s Membership of The United Nations. 1955 – 2005.

Mayor Thérèse Ridge on behalf of  South Dublin County Council will launch a new book The Battle of Jadotville Irish Soldiers in Combat in the Congo 1962 by Michael Whelan in County Hall Tallaght on Thursday 2nd March at 7.30pm.

Ireland's involvement in full combat operations as participants in peace enforcement missions dates back to the Congo in the early 1960s
The book tells the story of “A” Company 35th Infantry Batallion at Jadotville in the Congo in 1962. “A” Company was posted to Jadotville where they came under severe attack by 2-3,000 Katangese soldiers aided by white mercaneries. They withstood a sustained the attack for five days and inflicted casualties of up to 300 on the enemy forces without sustaining any casualty themselves, though seven were injured. They withstood the land and air bombardment for five days. They were forced to surrender after their water, food and ammunition ran out.
They remained in captivity from 19th September – 25th October 1961.
The Congo mission was the first time since the Irish Civil War that Irish troops had come under fire and had found themselves in a sustained combat environment. Jadotville was also the first time an Irish unit was to find itself in a hostage predicament.
Information from all literature on the affair shows that Irish troops, in the early stages, were ill-prepared for the mission to the Congo. There was no issue of tropical uniforms or equipment. Unsuitable and outdated weapons were supplied to soldiers and they were not properly trained for the combat scenarios they were to face.
In spite of the disadvantages, the Company under Cmdt. Pat Quinlan behaved in a brave and professional manner, outperforming superior numbers and inflicting minimal casualties.
Commandant Quinlan wrote:’ I never once saw any man waver. All the officers have the same report. Every man gave his very best and tried to do more. Their steadfastness and coolness under heavy fire was extraordinary…my lasting impressions are of complete loyalty and devotion to duty on the part of every officer and man.
The Irish soldiers at Jadotville were sacrificing themselves for the honourable and just cause of peacekeeping in a conflict that could have triggered a Third World War. The Irish Defence Forces’ rôle has been and is remembered for its contribution, but it would appear that the soldiers at Jadotville were effectively dishonoured because at the time they were never properly recognised for their bravery and professionalism.
Mr. Denis Naughten T.D. speaking in the Dáil on 30th November 2004 said: ‘It is unbelievable that this glorious episode had been airbrushed out of Irish Military History. Unfortunately, many of these men have gone to their graves without their valour and bravery being recognised.’
This book goes beyond the battle itself in an attempt to understand conservative Ireland’s rôle in the United Nations during the 1960s. It details the reasons why these troops where there, what happened and why the story of their bravery and professionalism has been forgotten.

Their bravery and professionalism was only recognised in November last (2005) when Mr Willie O’Dea, Minister for Defence, unveiled a plaque in their honour at Custume Barracks, Athlone.

The author Michael Whelan, a native of Tallaght, has been a serving member of the Irish Defence Forces for 16 years. He served with the United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon (U.N.I.F.I.L.) and Kosovo (K.F.O.R.) He works at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel where he looks after the Air Corps Museum and Heritage Project. This book derives from the author’s personal interest in Irish military history, in United Nations service and from work undertaken while completing a B.A. in Local History at N.U.I. Maynooth. This book stems from Michael’s wish to reconcile differing views he had heard of the Battle of Jadotville.

The book is published by the Local Studies Section of South Dublin County Libraries. The book will be on sale through the South Dublin Library network (County Library, Tallaght, Ballyroan, Castletymon, Clondalkin, Lucan and Whitechurch. Copies can be obtained by writing, phoning or e-mailing the undersigned – copies can be posted out.

For more information, please contact Kieran Swords or Sile Coleman, Local Studies Section, County Library, Town Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Phone 01 4620073
e-mail localstudies@sdublincoco.ie