Justice for Jadotville

Jadotville -The Case to Honour the Recommendations for Heroes

To survive a 5-day siege in battle against overwhelming odds is remarkable – and afterwards to be branded cowards in unforgivable.

In September 1961 A Company of the 35th Battalion (156 Irishmen under the command of Commandant Pat Quinlan) serving as part of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) were held under siege in the mining town of Jadotville by a large attacking force of mercenaries, Belgian settlers, and local tribesmen. The battle which is now known as the ‘Siege of Jadotville’ lasted 5 days. Out of food, ammunition, and water the Company Commander took the decision to surrender. He and his company were taken into captivity where they remained for several weeks. The full story of this battle is available through a number of books on the subject these are:

• Siege at Jadotville: The Irish Army's Forgotten Battle by Declan Power

• Heroes of Jadotville: The Soldiers' Story by Rose Doyle

• Battle of Jadotville Irish Soldiers in Combat in the Congo 1961 by Michael Whelan

• Netflix Film ‘The Siege of Jadotville’ written by Kevin directed and by Richie Smyth Brodbin.

Following this battle The Officers and NCO’s of A Company recommended 33 of those who served for Military Honours and to date none of these have been honoured. In addition, the Officer Commanding the Company Pat Quinlan was never recommended for any honours. This has been a blight on the Irish Defence Forces and its inability to honour valour.

The very fact that Commandant Quinlan brought all his charge home alive was a massive accomplishment that should have been recognised at the time. It is deeply regrettable and embarrassing that instead of being regarded as heroes these wonderful men were branded by their own comrades as cowards. Their story is a must for all who have even the mildest interest in military history.

Piecemeal efforts have been made to undo the hurt caused to these men through the erection of a monument, the drafting of a unit citation and the striking of a campaign medal An Bonn Jadotville (The Jadotville medal). To its shame the Irish Defence Forces have never considered the awarding of the honours recommended by the Officers and NCO’s of A Company and endorsed by the Battalion Commander to the 33 men.

In November 2020 the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney TD requested the Defence Forces Chief of Staff to address this matter. The Chief of Staff advised the Minister that the Military had done for the men of Jadotville all it felt it cold do. They would recommend an independent review but could not set up a medals board. The minister approved the setting up of this review and charged the Chief of Staff with appointing the members of the Independent Review Group (IRG).

The IRG report was submitted on the 8th July to the Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM and was subsequently sent to the Minister. The outcome of the IRG report was that no military honours (Medals) should be awarded to any of the 33 but a recommendation was made to award a DSM to Commandant Quinlan. We dispute the findings of the IRG and have engaged a full Legal Team to examine this case culminating in a Judicial review.

Who I am:
I am Senator Gerard Craughwell (Former Defence Forces Sergeant)

Where I'm from:
I am a fulltime member of the upper house of the Irish Parliament (Seanad Éireann) and I Live in Dublin Ireland

Why I am raising Funds:
I am a  defence Forces Veteran and advocate for Justice for the Jadotville heroes. The  are a number of questions surrounding the
Independent Review Group into the action at Jadotville.  These include an issue of conflict of interest , the actions of the Chairman of the
Group and others which despite attempts to resolve them through the office of the Minister for Defence, Secretary General at the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces Chief of Staff  have failed to be resolved and sadly now must be resolved through legal action.

How the funds will be used:
The cost of a judicial review through the Irish High Court could run to over €100,000 and the veterans who have suffered as a result of the 
Defence Forces failures over the years to deal with the medals for those recommended by the Officers of A Company and the 35th
Battalion and endorsed by their Battalion Commander must now be resolved through the legal system and this is what the funds will assist us in doing.

How the funds will be transferred:
The funds will be transferred to a jointly held Irish Bank Account and full details including bank statements and accounts regarding the distribution of these funds will be published once the funds are drawn down.

Any Questions:
If you have any questions please email me: [email redacted] 

Such cases cost money and all donations will be gratefully accepted.