Jadotville Heroes Deserve Justice!

In November 2020, the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney TD advised the Seanad that he and Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, had concluded that an independent review group was the best way forward in dealing with the long running saga of honouring the men involved in the ‘Siege of Jadotville’ in September 1961. This news was met with massive relief by those who had campaigned for the wishes of the then Company Commander of A Company of the 35th battalion Commandant Pat Quinlan [Later to be Colonel]. 

Quinlan had recommended 5 of his Company for the Military Medal for Gallantry (MMG) and the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). A further 26 were recommended for the DSM in total he recommended 31 of his company for these decorations. It is difficult to understand how it is that not one of these men were awarded a medal. It is even more difficult to understand how any Defence Forces medals board that sat to consider this matter in 1962, 1965 and again in 1971 failed to honour the unit commanders wishes. Not a single medal was awarded. This single issue has been a blight on the Defence Forces for almost 60 years.

In a clumsy ham-fisted way, the Defence Forces has tried on a number of occasions to silence the voices of those who sought to right this wrong. One name stands out from those who were there and that is John Gorman who never relented seeking only to clear the names of his brother soldiers who had been labelled cowards on their return to Ireland. Yes they had surrendered having run out of food, water and ammunition. However, what was remarkable is that Quinlan [who was never recommended for a medal] brought all of his company home alive. We should also recognise the son of Pat Quinlan, Leo himself an outstanding army officer who took up the cause of his fathers’ charge determined to clear their names and reputation.

Following Minister Coveney’s speech in November 2020 all with an interest in Jadotville were delighted that at last there would be an ‘Independent Review Group’ (IRG) set up by Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM to examine matters relating to Jadotville. Mellett appointed his IRG and chose Brig Gen Pakenham chair of ARCO (Retired Officers Association) as its chair.  

Sadly, within hours of the establishment of the group dissatisfaction was being expressed among the ranks of the veterans. The first to take positive action was Retired commandant Ray Cawley. Cawley wrote to the Minister, Chief of Staff and the group chairman Brig Gen Pakenham on January 6 expressing his concerns with the membership of the group. He concluded his letter with a call to Brig Gen Pakenham to step aside. Other veterans such as the South East Military Veterans have stated that “The Irish military have proven they can’t deal with it [Jadotville] impartially at this stage stating that the head of this review board has to be an outside figure.”

There are now allegations of the chairman of the group having a conflict-of-interest. This is an extremely serious allegation for anyone to make and now I believe that this IRG cannot undertake any examination of the events that led to Commandant Quinlans recommendations. There must be a full examination of any conflict-of-interest. It is not good enough to say that the group is an independent. The independence of the group must be accepted by all and currently it is not. 

If the independence of the group does not stand up to scrutiny it will impact the relationships between the Veteran Groups [ONE, ARCO and IUNVA]. It will impact the relationships between serving Officers and those they command. It will also impact the reputations of the Force Commander in the Congo in 1961, the 35th Battalion Commander, the Company Commander and those he commanded in Jadotville, those conducting the review. Ultimately it will impact the reputation of the Defence Forces Chief of Staff and the Defence Forces family. 

It is never too late to do the right thing all cards need to be put on the table now the rumours must be addressed.