Apology for Congo ambush survivors

Two survivors of the Niemba ambush in the Congo in 1960 have received an apology from Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea for inaccurate Army records of the massacre.

Apologising to Privates Joe Fitzpatrick and Tom Kenny, the Minister said he was doing so in the light of "fuller information" contained in a recent Army report. "I apologise for any trauma or grief caused by the fact that the record was incorrect."

The Minister said that while the award of a medal had not been recommended, he was examining proposals as to how best the two men's contribution could be suitably recognised and honoured. "In addition, I intend to invite them both, at the earliest opportunity, to attend a suitable Defence Forces event at which I will acknowledge their contribution publicly."

The Minister's remarks were welcomed by Opposition deputies, including Labour TD Joe Costello, who praised David O'Donoghue's book, The Irish Army in the Congo 1960-1964, The Far Battalions, which dealt with the massacre.

Mr O'Dea said that there were two principal areas of controversy relating to the incident, in November 1960, and both concerned Trooper Anthony Browne and Pte Tom Kenny.

These were: where exactly Trooper Browne died, and what Trooper Browne did to contribute to Pte Kenny's survival.

He said the final conclusion by Col Tom Behan, who compiled the report, was that Trooper Browne fired his weapon to distract the Baluba attackers from beating Pte Kenny to death.

"He further concludes, on the balance of probabilities, that Trooper Browne managed to then escape his pursuers, wounded or otherwise, making his way to the village of Tundula only to be killed by hostile Balubas two days later.

"Therefore, the previous supposition that he died at the ambush site, and that Baluba tribesmen carried away his remains, cannot be substantiated. Likewise, the conclusion outlined above, that he died at Tundula, cannot be definitively substantiated."

Mr O'Dea said the report clearly concluded that prior to his escape from the ambush site, "Trooper Browne fired his weapon at the Balubas who were intent on beating Pte Kenny to death, thereby distracting them and saving his life."

Mr O'Dea said that despite all the research, consultation and interviews, there was no absolute certainty achievable regarding the two matters of controversy.

"I do, however, wish to address some of the ambiguity that may have resulted from the two scenarios recorded in the unit history. In the absence of wide and detailed research available to me now, the best advice previously available to me was that Trooper Browne most likely died at the scene of the ambush, and the Baluba tribesmen carried his remains away. This must now be discounted."

Mr O'Dea said he wholeheartedly recognised and acknowledged that "both Pte Kenny, particularly in view of the serious wounds and injuries he sustained, and Pte Fitzpatrick survived a horrific encounter with hostile forces, displaying courage, fortitude and tenacity in order to survive until finally rescued".

He commended them both "for the selfless service they have given their country and hope that this report will bring some peace of mind to them both".