Defence Forces members remembered at Dublin service

Donal Jevens was at the military guard ceremony in Dublin's Merrion Square to remember his son David (21), who was killed in service on an Air Corp training flight over Connemara in 2009.

Mr Jevens said his son, a cadet, was “so proud to be associated with the defence forces and to be a member of it”.

The ceremony at the national monument to members of the Defence Forces in Merrion Square was for members who have died in service.

“Sometimes the people who are killed in service here in the country are forgotten about, but this is a special day for us,” he said. “It’s with pride that I’m here, to remember him”.

“This is a day for people like David,” Mr Jevens said .

Members of the 7th Infantry Battalion in Cathal Brugha Barracks and the Air Corps in Baldonnel participated in the ceremony on Saturday, as well as buglers and drummers from the army band, current and retired members of the Defence Forces, and members of the public.

During the service, the flag was lowered to half mast and there was a minute of silence followed by unit commanders and members of the public laying wreaths at the base of the monument.

The national monument to members of the Defence Forces was unveiled by then president President Mary McAleese in 2008. It features a pyramid, inside which there is an eternal flame surrounded by bronze figures representing the four services of the Defence Forces; the Army, the Air Corp, the Naval Services and the Reserve Force.

Lieut Deirdre Fahy of 7th Battalion in Cathal Brugha Barracks and officer in charge of the ceremony, said the event gives the Defence Forces the opportunity to show the work they do in a positive light to the public.

“It’s not often we get the chance, because we are in barracks, to catch passersby and show them what we are doing or even the effects of our work”.

It was the first ceremony that Lt Fahy was leading and she said it took six weeks of training and drills to prepare for the day.

Members of each unit marched in to the park towards the monument to drum-beat, while taking orders from the lieutenant.

They displayed different positions with a ceremonial rifle, including “rest on arms reversed,” as a mark of respect to members who have died.

“It’s an intimate ceremony,” Comdt Seán Ó Fátharta said. “This is where we remember our own”.

Retired Col of the Cavalry Corp, Richard Heaslip, said that the commemorative service is "an expression of patriotism".

Mr Heaslip, who served in the Defence Forces for over 40 years, said that “it’s all about the guys we serve with”.

“Camaraderie cannot be duplicated,” he said. “You have to live it and experience it to know it”.

“Today is an opportunity for us to highlight it to the people of Ireland that the monument is here and that we’re very proud of it and we’re very proud of our members,” Comdt Ó Fátharta said.

It is the third year the ceremonies have taken place at the monument, and they will take place every Saturday at noon for the next five weeks until the 22nd of August.

The two units which will participate in the ceremony next Saturday will be the 3rd Infantry Battalion in Stephens Barracks in Co Kilkenny and the 1st Merchandised Infantry Company in the Defence Forces Training Centre in Co Kildare.