Press release
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin visits IUNVA HQ
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The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin today (Wednesday) visited the headquarters of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) in Arbour Hill, Dublin.
In the course of his visit, during which he met members of IUNVA and laid a wreath in memory of those who have died, the Tánaiste paid special tribute to the Defence Forces’ personnel who served in the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC), which concluded 60 years ago this month.
In recognising the work of IUNVA, the Tánaiste said:
"I am pleased to recognise and thank the members of IUNVA for the generations of dedicated service to the State and, particularly, to the most noble cause of International peacekeeping.
"This month marks the 60th anniversary of the conclusion of the United Nations Operation in the Congo, which was the first time that armed Irish troops were deployed on a UN Peacekeeping Mission.
"It has been my privilege to participate in the commemoration of this mission. I want to thank the veterans who took part in this important mission for their service. I also want to pay tribute to the 26 Defence Forces personnel who lost their lives over the course of the mission in pursuit of peace.”
IUNVA plays an important role in representing Defence Forces veterans of all ranks that have served overseas in UN and UN-mandated missions.
It is one of two Veteran Associations formally recognised by the Department of Defence. Its headquarters in Dublin includes a museum displaying United Nations peacekeeping memorabilia illustrating the history of the missions undertaken by the Defence Forces.
IUNVA has organised a series of events at its posts throughout the country to commemorate the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC), which concluded 60 years ago this month.