The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Tale of the Kerrymen in Siege of Jadotville
WHAT’S more peculiar: that all 157 Irish soldiers targeted by a 3000-strong force in Jadotville in September 1961 survived, or that few have heard their story?
In a corner of the Congo 55 years ago, terror entangled the raw, lightly armed A Company of the Irish Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion. Sent to protect settlers and locals as part of a UN peacekeeping mission, the soldiers - led by the wily Commandant Pat Quinlan from Caherdaniel Parish - were stationed near a community dangerously wary of the UN.
Soon, well-equipped waves of indigenous Katangese, as well as French and Belgian mercenaries, would thunder at the Irish, and a hellish ordeal began.
The peacekeeping force, aided by Quinlan’s competence, lived through a five-day downpour of shells and bullets - but with supplies exhausted and help unable to reach them, the Irish surrendered, and endured five weeks of captivity.
Though they’d eliminated 300 enemy fighters, none of the peacekeepers were killed in the weeks it took to negotiate their release – and yet, they arrived home to a reception as frigid as an Alaskan gale.
Maurice O’Keeff e of Irish Life and Lore recorded an audio documentary on Jadotville, and explained why the public labelled Jadotville an embarrassment.
“South County Dublin Council asked me to study Jadotville in 2008,” he said.
“It took time to interview everyone I needed. Some I spoke to fought in Jadotville, and had raw feelings about how they’d been portrayed.
“Crowds would abuse them at football matches. Some turned to drink or suffered terribly in other ways. They weren’t recognised for their courage; they were seen as traitors for surrendering.”
But that perception is finally changing. ‘The Siege of Jadotville,’ was released on Netflix last month, and Quinlan’s son Leo arranged for Waterville’s Tech Amergin to screen the film. Jamie Dornan plays Quinlan, and reaction to the film has been excellent.
“It’s very accurate, particularly its fight scenes.” Leo said.
“Nobody budged during the movie; they were enthralled.”
The film followed a recent ceremony in Athlone, where A Company received a unit citation for its bravery.
Leo represented his father and expressed happiness at the recognition.
“It’s an honour, and we received great ceremonial treatment,” he said.
“It’s wonderful to see perception changing. I was proud to represent my father in Athlone, and to be there with more than 40 surviving veterans.”
The late Jimmy Lucey of Caragh Lake, an All-Ireland winner with Kerry in 1962, also fought in the siege. His nephew, solicitor Niall Lucey, represented him in Athlone.
“It meant a lot to my family; it’s something my father spoke about often, and it was great for Jimmy to receive that recognition,” Niall said.
“I’d recommend watching the film. I’d read about Jadotville, but it’s not until you see it on screen that it’ll hit you properly.”
O’Keeffe lamented that it’s taken so long to recognise A Company, but is happy with developments, and paid tribute to Quinlan and his soldiers:
“Quinlan kept their spirits up, kept them together, and kept them alive. What he and the A-Company did was incredible.”
O’Keefe’s documentary on the siege of Jadotville is available at www.irishlifeandlore. com