SIX SOLDIERS from the west of Ireland who were killed while serving on peacekeeping duties will be honoured by a new memorial which will be erected in their honour in Galway.
Soldiers such as Pte Stephen Griffin (21), from Rahoon in Galway, who was shot in Lebanon in 1980, will be honoured by the memorial, which will be erected beside the Garrison Church at Renmore Barracks in Galway.
Five of the six who will be honoured lost their lives in Lebanon. Kevin Joyce (20) from Inisheer on the Aran Islands, is missing, presumed dead, having been kidnapped by dissident Palestinians, also in 1980.
Lieut Aonghus Murphy (25), a noted Galway footballer from Tuam, was killed by a roadside bomb in 1986 having undertaken his first tour to raise money for a house he and his fiancee hoped to build.
Corp Fintan Heneghan (29) from Ballinrobe was killed in 1989, and 10 years later Pte Billy Kedian (22) from Ballyhaunis lost his life in Lebanon.
Pte Peadar Ó Flatharta (21), from Lettermore in Connemara, who died on duty in East Timor in 2000, will also be honoured by the memorial.
Paul Connaughton, secretary of Post 30 of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, said it would cost between €15,000 and €20,000 to erect the memorial and the association is fundraising for the venture.
“We want to erect a memorial in memory of our comrades from Galway who were killed whilst serving with the United Nations in different parts of the world.
“We would appreciate any financial assistance for what is a worthy and deserving cause,” said Mr Connaughton.
A bank account has been set up at AIB in Lynches Castle in Galway city (a/c number: 93-70-96 14533341) under the name of Post 30, IUNVA Memorial Garden.