The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Bursting with pride for Jadotville hero Quinlan
BAD weather has derailed many events and ceremonies in Kerry over the years – but while Saturday’s ceremony in honour of Colonel Pat Quinlan had to take place within the Sea Lodge Hotel in Waterville due to poor weather, one of the members of the Pat Quinlan Monument Committee said moving indoors was the makings of the day.
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny was one of around 300 people in South Kerry on Saturday to pay tribute to the late Colonel Quinlan, who famously led the A Company of the Irish Army’s 35th Infantry Batallion when it came under attack from Katangese forces in the 1961 Siege of Jadotville in Congo. The siege lasted almost a week with forces held as Prisoners of War for weeks thereafter – with no loss of life.
Also among those in attendance were family; current and former members of the Irish Army; TDs, Senators and Councillors; and six survivors of the siege.
Caherdaniel Commandant John O’Sullivan took charge of an Honour Guard drawn from the Limerick-based 12th Infantry Batallion, with Lieutenant Michael Moriarty from Castlegregory acting as Flag Officer. Fr Gerry Finucane and Fr Liam Cuffe – whose father served in the siege – also took part in the weekend’s celebrations.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Norma Moriarty was a member of the local committee – which also included Leonard Hurley and Colonel Quinlan’s son, Leo – and she explained that the indoor ceremony added rather than took from the jubilant mood on Saturday.
“We had a great turnout, the place was booked out, and having it indoors made it a more comfortable occasion, with attendees and guests able to meet and greet each other and enjoy the moving ceremonies,” she said.
“I put a notice of motion in at a meeting of the South and West Kerry Municipal District last year at a time when there was increased awareness around the siege and Colonel Quinlan’s deeds; it was just a couple of months after the film ‘The Siege of Jadotville’ was released.
“We’d like to thank everyone who supported that motion and in bringing a monument to Com an Chiste Pass, overlooking Colonel Quinlan’s place of birth at Hog’s Head and not far from his former school in Loher.
“We’d also like to thank Holger Lonze – who lives in Portmagee and has his studio at Ionad na Dromoda – for working on the monument, and Tech Amergin and IRD Waterville for their co-operation in helping us raise awareness of this man’s actions.”
There was also praise for Enda Kenny TD for his participation in Saturday’s unveiling.
“One of his last acts in office was to sign off on medals to members who had served in Jadotville, so it was fitting to have him there,” Councillor Moriarty said.
“It has also been announced that those medals for the survivors of Jadotville will be presented in December at Custom House Barracks in Athlone.”