Soldier killed in the Congo to be honoured

A MEMBER of the Irish Army who was only aged 17 when he was killed in an ambush in the Congo in 1960 will be honoured in Baltinglass with the erection of a commemorative monument.

Private Michael McGuinn was from Parkmore, Baltinglass was on a peace-keeping mission with the United Nations 33rd Infantry Battalion when he and nine others were killed in Niemba after fighting with Luba militia.

In 2015, a commemorative plaque honouring Pte McGuinn was unveiled at Scoil Naomh Iosaf in the town and now, Baltinglass Municipal District is planning its own monument in memory of the brave young man.

‘All members of the district are in agreement that we should honour this young brave man,’ said the district cathaoirleach, Cllr Tommy Cullen.

‘ He was only 17 years of age when he died and it is long overdue that his sacrifice was recognised. We have selected a site in the centre of Baltinglass,’ he said.

Cllr Cullen said that there are also plans afoot to name the local park – which is just yards away from where he lived in Parkmore – after Pte McGuinn.

‘He would have played in the park as a youngster, fished in the Slaney and attended local schools. The unveiling of the monument is also timely as this year marks 60 years of Ireland’s UN membership. Baltinglass has always had a very close association with the Defence Forces, especially with the Glen of Imaal military range.’

The granite monument will be funded by Baltinglass Municipal District, with assistance from the local business community.

The unveiling is expected to take place in the autumn and members of the McGuinn family will be invited to attend, along with representatives from the Irish Army and the UN.