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Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter T.D., attends ceremony to mark the 50th Anniversary of the death of Trooper Patrick Mullins in the Congo

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter T.D., has today attended the unveiling of a monument in Kilbehenny, Co Limerick to Trooper Patrick Mullins, who died as a result of hostile action while on service in the Congo on 15 September 1961. Trooper Mullins was a member of the 35th Irish Infantry Battalion serving with the United Nations Mission in the Congo- ONUC.

Prior to laying a wreath at the monument, Minister Shatter said “Today is a most appropriate day for this unveiling as it is the 50th anniversary of Trooper Mullins death. This monument also serves to remind us of the great loss felt by Trooper Mullins family, comrades and friends. I hope that this fine memorial and the knowledge that Troopers Mullins sacrifice will not be forgotten, will bring some comfort and some pride to them.” Wreaths were also laid by the Mullins family and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt General Seán McCann.

On 14 September 1961, Trooper Mullins was a member of a four man crew of an armoured car which received a direct hit from an anti-tank projectile, whilst on a patrol in the city of Elizabethville. When the armoured car was subsequently recovered there was unfortunately no trace of Trooper Mullins. Despite exhaustive efforts being made the remains of Trooper Mullins were never recovered.

Minister Shatter also thanked all serving members of the Defence Forces and Defence Forces Veterans across the country, for their courage and dedication over the years.He stated that “In serving so selflessly they have helped save the lives of countless numbers of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world. Tragically, in saving those lives too many of our finest young people, like Trooper Mullins have lost their own.”

ENDS
Note
The youngest of six children, Trooper Patrick Mullins was from Boher, Kilbehenny, Co. Limerick. In 1961, Trooper Mullins volunteered for service overseas and departed Ireland for the Congo on 16 June of that year as a member of the Armoured Car Group 35 Infantry Battalion serving with the United Nations Mission - ONUC.

15 September, 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Trooper Mullins death in the Congo. Despite exhaustive efforts being made the remains of Trooper Mullins were never recovered. Trooper Mullins, along with Private Kevin Joyce, who is missing in Lebanon since 1981, remain Ireland’s two missing in action soldiers.

The inscription on the monument reads as follows:-
Erected in memory of Trooper Patrick Mullins, 1st Motor Squadron Born 19th November 1942 Boher, Kilbehenny. Killed in Action in the service of peace with the Armoured Car Group, 35th Infantry Battalion United Nations Peackeeping Mission ONUC Republic of Congo 15th September 1961.(Tpr Mullins’ remains have never been recovered) “Lest We Forget”

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