Soldiers receive medals after return from Syria
TWO WEXFORD soldiers who missed out on a prestigious medal presentation due to their peacekeeping efforts in Syria have finally been presented with their awards.
Wexford town’s Shane Dempsey and Lee Smith were part of the victorious North End United squad which defeated Pike Rovers of Limerick in the FAI Junior Cup final.
But the lads missed out on the medal presentation because they were on deployment with the Defence Forces in The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria.
A special presentation took place in the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, November 15, which coincided with the Ireland versus Northern Ireland international friendly.
In attendance were Shane, Lee and their families, along with FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, Minister with responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe, and Assistant Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Brigadier General Peter O’Halloran.
Minister Kehoe commended Shane and Lee, who he said show tremendous commitment both on and off the pitch.
‘Lee and Shane have been part of one of the most important peacekeeping missions in UNDOF, where our troops are maintaining stability in a highly volatile environment,’ Minister Kehoe said.
‘I was delighted to be able to present them with their medals. They have achieved great success with North End United and I know that will continue,’ he added.