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“Missing in Action”

Next month we will host one of our most important ventures to date namely the launching of Ralph Riegal’s and John O’Mahony’s joint book “Missing in Action” commencing at 8pm on Thursday 23rd September in Fermoy Pitch and Putt Clubhouse. This is the culmination of extremely thorough research which included the study of Battalion and UN journals, newspaper accounts of the period and interviews with personnel who served with the unit.

The title is derived from the fact that Tpr Pat Mullins (1Mot Sqdn) body was never recovered following the ambush of his Ford AFV. The body of Cpl Mick Nolan (1 Armd Car Sqdn) was recovered some days later in a grave adjacent to a convent. It details the background leading up to the UN offensive in Elizabethville , Katanga in September 1961, actions during the hostility period and its aftermath. It’s worth bearing in mind that it was the Irish Army’s first UN operational mission, it was peace enforcing and most of the soldiers were on their first tour overseas, certainly all of the officers were.

As part of the publicity drive Ralph and John are being interviewed on the Pat Kenny Show on Tuesday next August 31st. The book is being distributed to the trade on 27th/28th of August so Pat will have had his copy and hopefully will carry out an informed interview. If you can do listen in, there may even be a chance to phone in afterwards to put forward positive comments.

Dick Heaslip, Hon Pres Post 25 will introduce Comdt (Retd) Art Magennis DSM to give the keynote address. Then a Capt Art was 2ic Armd Car Gp, 35th Bn. He assumed command when Comdt Cathalan was wounded in the same AFV. Ralph and John will also give brief addresses.

The easy part of our sponsored cycle is completed. The hard part has begun; collecting the money and cards and handing them over to our Treasurer PJ. €3,300 is in. With luck we may break the magic figure of €4,000 but it won’t happen without your co-operation. It is intended to hand over the money to both parties at our September 30th meeting so do mark that date in your diary so as to make a good night of it.

Looking yet further ahead Post 25 has been issued an invitation by the Chairman of Post 5, Cork to attend a function they’re organising in the NCOs Mess on Saturday 27th November. Further details will be published as they become available. Needless to say if sufficient numbers are interested in travelling a bus will be laid on.


	“Missing in Action” Next month we will host one of our most important ventures to date namely the launching of Ralph Riegal’s and John O’Mahony’s joint book “Missing in Action” commencing at 8pm on Thursday 23rd September in Fermoy Pitch and Putt Clubhouse. This is the culmination of extremely thorough research which included the study of Battalion and UN journals, newspaper accounts of the period and interviews with personnel who served with the unit. The title is derived from the fact that Tpr Pat Mullins (1Mot Sqdn) body was never recovered following the ambush of his Ford AFV. The body of Cpl Mick Nolan (1 Armd Car Sqdn) was recovered some days later in a grave adjacent to a convent. It details the background leading up to the UN offensive in Elizabethville , Katanga in September 1961, actions during the hostility period and its aftermath. It’s worth bearing in mind that it was the Irish Army’s first UN operational mission, it was peace enforcing and most of the soldiers were on their first tour overseas, certainly all of the officers were. As part of the publicity drive Ralph and John are being interviewed on the Pat Kenny Show on Tuesday next August 31st. The book is being distributed to the trade on 27th/28th of August so Pat will have had his copy and hopefully will carry out an informed interview. If you can do listen in, there may even be a chance to phone in afterwards to put forward positive comments. Dick Heaslip, Hon Pres Post 25 will introduce Comdt (Retd) Art Magennis DSM to give the keynote address. Then a Capt Art was 2ic Armd Car Gp, 35th Bn. He assumed command when Comdt Cathalan was wounded in the same AFV. Ralph and John will also give brief addresses. The easy part of our sponsored cycle is completed. The hard part has begun; collecting the money and cards and handing them over to our Treasurer PJ. €3,300 is in. With luck we may break the magic figure of €4,000 but it won’t happen without your co-operation. It is intended to hand over the money to both parties at our September 30th meeting so do mark that date in your diary so as to make a good night of it. Looking yet further ahead Post 25 has been issued an invitation by the Chairman of Post 5, Cork to attend a function they’re organising in the NCOs Mess on Saturday 27th November. Further details will be published as they become available. Needless to say if sufficient numbers are interested in travelling a bus will be laid on.