Veterans in Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women is a support organisation for ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Services
.
The organisation commenced operations in approximately 1950 and was formed as an amalgam of a number of ex-servicemen’s organisations which had sprung up after soldiers, sailors and airmen had been ‘demobbed’ following service during the Emergency. The emergency spanned the period 1939 to 1946 which was approximately the same period as the Second World War and over 140,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, police and red cross personnel served in the Irish Defence Forces
at this time. The National Federation of Irish Ex-Servicemen and the Association of Regular Ex-Servicemen (Defence Forces) being just two of the organisations that came together. This was the first time that a unified veterans organisation had formed in the Republic of Ireland
.
The initial name for the organisation was the "Irish Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation". This was soon converted to the Irish
"Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann". The new organisation adopted an emblem resembling the cap badge of the Free State Army
and incorporated the number 1 into its design signifying the amalgamation of the different groups. Since this time the Organisation has been known as the O.N.E. and ONE forms part of the Organisation's emblem to this date. The first President of the Organisation was Major General Hugo McNeill and the vice Presidents were Senator Victor Carton PC, Lieutenant Colonel Fred O’Connor, Mr. Eoin O’Riain B.L. and Mr. Thomas Holt. Major Patrick J McDonagh was Chairman of the National Executive Committee and Commandant Peter Duffy was the Honorary National Secretary.
The organisation has been organised democratically since its inception and has held annual conventions from 1950 to 1999 to elect its National Executive Committee. From June 2000 onwards the organisation became a limited company with charitable status under the Companies Act 1963 following a special resolution placed before its members at an Extraordinary General Meeting held in Cobh, County Cork under the chairmanship of Mr Jack Gilmartin, a native of Dublin who lives in Cobh
.
The newly formed Company assumed ‘Teoranta’ meaning ‘Limited’ in Gaelic into its name and is now known as O.N.E.T. The newly formed company adopted a Memorandum of Association
and Articles of Association (M&As) which govern how the company interacts with people, government agencies, etc. as well as setting out regulations governing the relationships between the shareholders and directors of the company. The company has no share capital but has limited liability. ONET's 'Handbook of Rules', which sets out membership criteria etc. remains intact but is subservient to the M&As.
, County Louth
. Capt. Rooney had over thirty seven years service with the 8th Battalion, FCA (Reserve Defence Force) stationed along the Border between the Republic and Northern Ireland
in County Louth
. The first Company Secretary was Mr. Pat Dunleavy a native of Mullingar
, County Westmeath
, who had served with the 4th Regiment in Mullingar, 2nd Garrison S&T, Transport Corps in Dublin and had seen service with the United Nations
ONUC force in the Congo. Mr. Dunleavy was a long serving member of the Organisation who was the driving force behind the building of a home in Dublin for destitute soldiers, sailors and airmen. In October 2003 Mr. Joe Lynch, a native of Drogheda
, was selected as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the newly formed Company. The Company President is Martin Coyne Mullingar Branch and The Chairman of the Board stood down lately was Lt. General Gerry McMahon, retired Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and native of Limerick
while the current Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Ollie O’Connor, a native of Drogheda
.
The Board of Directors
is elected directly by the members of ONET. There are currently fifteen members of the Board and each year five Board members must step down. These Board members may place themselves before the membership for re-election if they so wish. The Board, at its inaugural meeting, elects a Chairperson to serve until the next AGM. Any member of the charity may seek nomination and election to the Board. Members may vote in person at the Annual General Meeting
(AGM) of the charity or submit their 'proxy vote
' in advance of this meeting. The AGM normally takes place in Brú na bhFiann in the month of June.
opened the newly built 20 bedroom home called Brú na bhFiann, liberally translated from Gaelic as ‘Home of the Brave’.
Since 1994 over five hundred ex-servicemen have been accommodated in the charity's homes throughout Ireland and many have moved on to independent living. From January 2002 to March 2005 Brú na bhFiann was temporarily located in Leeson Bridge House, Leeson Street Upper, Dublin. During this time ONET housed twenty four ex-servicemen and commenced provision of B&B style accommodation for serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and their families. This was seen as an integral part of ONET's strategy of integration with the Defence Forces. In March 2005 the residents and staff of Brú na bhFiann, the National HQ and all of ONET's records moved to the newly built Brú na bhFiann located in the redeveloped Smithfield Market
complex.
and replaced with a state-of-the-art 40 bedroom complex, which was officially opened by the President of Ireland
and Patron
of ONET, Mrs. Mary McAleese
. The new home contains a reception, bar, kitchen, dining room capable of seating up to 90 people, laundry and administration offices.
The two other homes that the charity owns and operates are located in Letterkenny
, County Donegal
, which has 7 bedrooms and Athlone, County Westmeath
which has 8 bedrooms. The Letterkenny home is called Beechwood House and is located in Letterkenny Town itself. The home was purchased in 2003 and refurbished during 2004 using funding gained under the Irish Government's housing and anti poverty strategy, local donations and fundraising and from ONET's national funds. Beechwood House was ONET's second purchase and represented a major leap forward for the charity. The home was fully refurbished to the highest Health & Safety standards and delivers first class safe, affordable and comfortable accommodation to its residents since it was officially opened by Cllr Dessie Larkin, Letterkenny Town Mayor, in March 2004.
Custume House has a long history associated with the local Barracks and was, for many years, the home of the General Officer Commanding the Western Brigade. Negotiations for the purchase of the home from the Department of Defence concluded in 2005 and following a major investment from ONET which was again funded through the Irish Government's housing and anti poverty strategy, local donations and from ONET's national funds, the home was officially opened by the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea TD, in August 2006. Custume House is currently home to seven ex-servicemen.
All of the homes are managed and run by ONET on a charitable basis and are dependent on funding from serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and donations from the Department of Defence
and Dublin City Council
. ONET also accommodates serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and their families from Ireland and overseas in their Dublin home, Brú na bhFiann.
. The Congo was the first large scale involvement that Irish troops had abroad since the foundation of the Irish Free State
. The Belgian Congo
became an independent Republic on 30 June 1960. Twelve days later, the Congolese government requested military assistance from the United Nations
to maintain its territorial integrity. The Irish government
consented to a request from the Secretary General for a contingent of Irish troops to serve with the UN Force in the Congo, and so on the 28 July 1960 the Defence Forces
involvement in Africa
began with the UN mission ONUC (UN Operation in Congo). Six thousand one hundred and ninety one Irish soldiers took part in the mission and twenty six were killed. The largest casualties were sustained on the 8th of November 1960 at Niemba
when nine Irish UN peacekeepers were massacred. Irish involvement with the mission ended on 30 June 1964. Each year on the nearest Saturday to the anniversary of the Niemba ambush ONET commemorates the event with a mass and wreath laying ceremony in Cathal Brugha
Barracks, Rathmines
, Dublin. The general public is invited to attend the event which normally commences with a parade from the main square in Cathal Brugha Barracks at 11.45 to St. Patrick's Church, also in Cathal Brugha Barracks, on the Saturday morning. Normally over 100 ex-servicemen and women take part in the event and dignitaries from the Defence Forces, Department of Defence and politicians from Ireland and abroad also take part in the ceremony.
Every year on Easter Sunday ONET commemorates deceased members of the Irish Defence Forces
with a wreath laying ceremony in Arbor Hill, Dublin, where the 1916 Easter Rising
burial plot is located. This annual event is called (in Irish
) Lá na bhFiann. The event is normally attended by over one hundred ex-servicemen and women who have served their country both at home and abroad on UN service as well as members of the Defence Forces
, Government officials, the Lord Mayor of Dublin
, and members of the general public.
(RDF), An Slua Muirí, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCÁ), Maritime Inspection, Local Defence Force (LDF), Local Security Force (LSF), Coast Watching Service, Construction Corps, Irish Red Cross
, or Civil Defence providing such person has had at least one-years satisfactory service and has been honourably discharged. The charity operates on a not-for-profit basis and all funds collected through subscription are applied to the running of the charity and the maintenance and upkeep of the charities homes. To become a member of the company a person must be accepted as a member of a branch and must sign a written declaration of acceptance of the Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association and the Handbook of Rules. Since the year 2000 membership has grown from a low ebb of 1,250 members to its current standing of over 1,700 members some of whom are located overseas in the USA, Canada and Australia. Branches are organised throughout the Republic of Ireland
with one Branch located in London
. ONET also operates a ‘National Branch’ to cater for Ex-Servicemen and Women who do not live close to a Branch (this includes overseas members). The ONET web site contains an on-line form to join the Organisation which must be printed and forwarded to the Company Secretary.
ONECONNECT is the quarterly magazine which is published by the charity and distributed to its members by post. It is a topical journal that updates members on the charity’s activities for the previous quarter and also informs them of upcoming events. The journal is also used to publish the annual accounts for the organisation prior to the Annual General Meeting as well as distributing nomination papers and ballot papers for Board of Directors positions.
Irish Defence Forces
The armed forces of Ireland, known as the Defence Forces encompass the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force.The current Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence forces is His Excellency Michael D Higgins in his role as President of Ireland...
.
The organisation commenced operations in approximately 1950 and was formed as an amalgam of a number of ex-servicemen’s organisations which had sprung up after soldiers, sailors and airmen had been ‘demobbed’ following service during the Emergency. The emergency spanned the period 1939 to 1946 which was approximately the same period as the Second World War and over 140,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, police and red cross personnel served in the Irish Defence Forces
Irish Defence Forces
The armed forces of Ireland, known as the Defence Forces encompass the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force.The current Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence forces is His Excellency Michael D Higgins in his role as President of Ireland...
at this time. The National Federation of Irish Ex-Servicemen and the Association of Regular Ex-Servicemen (Defence Forces) being just two of the organisations that came together. This was the first time that a unified veterans organisation had formed in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
Formation and name
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
"Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann". The new organisation adopted an emblem resembling the cap badge of the Free State Army
Irish Defence Forces cap badge
The Irish Defence Forces Cap Badge is – in distinction to the practice in British, Commonwealth, and many other militaries around the world – common to all services and corps...
and incorporated the number 1 into its design signifying the amalgamation of the different groups. Since this time the Organisation has been known as the O.N.E. and ONE forms part of the Organisation's emblem to this date. The first President of the Organisation was Major General Hugo McNeill and the vice Presidents were Senator Victor Carton PC, Lieutenant Colonel Fred O’Connor, Mr. Eoin O’Riain B.L. and Mr. Thomas Holt. Major Patrick J McDonagh was Chairman of the National Executive Committee and Commandant Peter Duffy was the Honorary National Secretary.
The organisation has been organised democratically since its inception and has held annual conventions from 1950 to 1999 to elect its National Executive Committee. From June 2000 onwards the organisation became a limited company with charitable status under the Companies Act 1963 following a special resolution placed before its members at an Extraordinary General Meeting held in Cobh, County Cork under the chairmanship of Mr Jack Gilmartin, a native of Dublin who lives in Cobh
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
.
The newly formed Company assumed ‘Teoranta’ meaning ‘Limited’ in Gaelic into its name and is now known as O.N.E.T. The newly formed company adopted a Memorandum of Association
Memorandum of Association
The memorandum of association of a company, often simply called the memorandum , is the document that governs the relationship between the company and the outside...
and Articles of Association (M&As) which govern how the company interacts with people, government agencies, etc. as well as setting out regulations governing the relationships between the shareholders and directors of the company. The company has no share capital but has limited liability. ONET's 'Handbook of Rules', which sets out membership criteria etc. remains intact but is subservient to the M&As.
New departure
The first Chairman of the newly formed Board of Directors was Captain Patrick T. Rooney (Rtd) a native of DroghedaDrogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Capt. Rooney had over thirty seven years service with the 8th Battalion, FCA (Reserve Defence Force) stationed along the Border between the Republic and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The first Company Secretary was Mr. Pat Dunleavy a native of Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
, who had served with the 4th Regiment in Mullingar, 2nd Garrison S&T, Transport Corps in Dublin and had seen service with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
ONUC force in the Congo. Mr. Dunleavy was a long serving member of the Organisation who was the driving force behind the building of a home in Dublin for destitute soldiers, sailors and airmen. In October 2003 Mr. Joe Lynch, a native of Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, was selected as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the newly formed Company. The Company President is Martin Coyne Mullingar Branch and The Chairman of the Board stood down lately was Lt. General Gerry McMahon, retired Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and native of Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
while the current Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Ollie O’Connor, a native of Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
.
The Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
is elected directly by the members of ONET. There are currently fifteen members of the Board and each year five Board members must step down. These Board members may place themselves before the membership for re-election if they so wish. The Board, at its inaugural meeting, elects a Chairperson to serve until the next AGM. Any member of the charity may seek nomination and election to the Board. Members may vote in person at the Annual General Meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
(AGM) of the charity or submit their 'proxy vote
Proxy voting
Proxy voting has two forms: delegable voting and delegated voting, which are procedures for the delegation to another member of a voting body of that member's power to vote in his absence, and/or for the selection of additional representatives, as in the case with transitive proxies...
' in advance of this meeting. The AGM normally takes place in Brú na bhFiann in the month of June.
Homes
During the late 1980s Ireland experienced a severe shortage of accommodation for less fortunate people and this was reflected in no small part in the Defence Community where a substantial number of Ex-Servicemen were living rough on the streets of Ireland’s cities. During the winter of 1988/9 up to seven people died on the streets of Dublin through hypothermia among them were ex-servicemen. A small group of men who were members of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women banded together under the leadership of Mr. Pat Dunleavy to raise awareness among members of the Defence Community and to raise funding for a soldier’s home. In 1991 the planning reached a critical stage and with a concrete strategy in place building works commenced and were brought to fruition in 1994 when the then President Mrs. Mary RobinsonMary Robinson
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson served as the seventh, and first female, President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, from 1997 to 2002. She first rose to prominence as an academic, barrister, campaigner and member of the Irish Senate...
opened the newly built 20 bedroom home called Brú na bhFiann, liberally translated from Gaelic as ‘Home of the Brave’.
Since 1994 over five hundred ex-servicemen have been accommodated in the charity's homes throughout Ireland and many have moved on to independent living. From January 2002 to March 2005 Brú na bhFiann was temporarily located in Leeson Bridge House, Leeson Street Upper, Dublin. During this time ONET housed twenty four ex-servicemen and commenced provision of B&B style accommodation for serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and their families. This was seen as an integral part of ONET's strategy of integration with the Defence Forces. In March 2005 the residents and staff of Brú na bhFiann, the National HQ and all of ONET's records moved to the newly built Brú na bhFiann located in the redeveloped Smithfield Market
Smithfield, Dublin
Smithfield is an area on the northside of Dublin. Its focal point is a public square, formerly an open market, now officially called Smithfield Plaza, but known locally as Smithfield Square or Smithfield Market....
complex.
Vision and mission
Since 2003 the Board of Directors has driven a plan which has disestablished the National Executive Committee in 2005 and has seen the Organisation grow from a base of one 20 bedroom home to an expanding portfolio of housing in three centres in Ireland under the direction of the former CEO, Joe Lynch and the current CEO, Ollie O'Connor. The old Brú na bhFiann was demolished during the redevelopment of Dublin’s Smithfield MarketSmithfield, Dublin
Smithfield is an area on the northside of Dublin. Its focal point is a public square, formerly an open market, now officially called Smithfield Plaza, but known locally as Smithfield Square or Smithfield Market....
and replaced with a state-of-the-art 40 bedroom complex, which was officially opened by the President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
and Patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
of ONET, Mrs. Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
. The new home contains a reception, bar, kitchen, dining room capable of seating up to 90 people, laundry and administration offices.
The two other homes that the charity owns and operates are located in Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, which has 7 bedrooms and Athlone, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
which has 8 bedrooms. The Letterkenny home is called Beechwood House and is located in Letterkenny Town itself. The home was purchased in 2003 and refurbished during 2004 using funding gained under the Irish Government's housing and anti poverty strategy, local donations and fundraising and from ONET's national funds. Beechwood House was ONET's second purchase and represented a major leap forward for the charity. The home was fully refurbished to the highest Health & Safety standards and delivers first class safe, affordable and comfortable accommodation to its residents since it was officially opened by Cllr Dessie Larkin, Letterkenny Town Mayor, in March 2004.
Custume House has a long history associated with the local Barracks and was, for many years, the home of the General Officer Commanding the Western Brigade. Negotiations for the purchase of the home from the Department of Defence concluded in 2005 and following a major investment from ONET which was again funded through the Irish Government's housing and anti poverty strategy, local donations and from ONET's national funds, the home was officially opened by the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea TD, in August 2006. Custume House is currently home to seven ex-servicemen.
All of the homes are managed and run by ONET on a charitable basis and are dependent on funding from serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and donations from the Department of Defence
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
and Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
. ONET also accommodates serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and their families from Ireland and overseas in their Dublin home, Brú na bhFiann.
UN Service
Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955. Since 1958, the Defence Forces has had a continuous presence on peacekeeping missions, mainly in the Middle EastMiddle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. The Congo was the first large scale involvement that Irish troops had abroad since the foundation of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
. The Belgian Congo
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
became an independent Republic on 30 June 1960. Twelve days later, the Congolese government requested military assistance from the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
to maintain its territorial integrity. The Irish government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
consented to a request from the Secretary General for a contingent of Irish troops to serve with the UN Force in the Congo, and so on the 28 July 1960 the Defence Forces
Irish Defence Forces
The armed forces of Ireland, known as the Defence Forces encompass the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force.The current Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence forces is His Excellency Michael D Higgins in his role as President of Ireland...
involvement in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
began with the UN mission ONUC (UN Operation in Congo). Six thousand one hundred and ninety one Irish soldiers took part in the mission and twenty six were killed. The largest casualties were sustained on the 8th of November 1960 at Niemba
Niemba
Niemba is a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga Province. It is situated on the Lukuga River, a tributary of the Lualaba river. The population is around 1,800. It is connected by rail to Kalemie.-Niemba Ambush:...
when nine Irish UN peacekeepers were massacred. Irish involvement with the mission ended on 30 June 1964. Each year on the nearest Saturday to the anniversary of the Niemba ambush ONET commemorates the event with a mass and wreath laying ceremony in Cathal Brugha
Cathal Brugha
Cathal Brugha was an Irish revolutionary and politician, active in the Easter Rising, Irish War of Independence, and the Irish Civil War and was the first Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann.-Background:...
Barracks, Rathmines
Rathmines
Rathmines is a suburb on the southside of Dublin, about 3 kilometres south of the city centre. It effectively begins at the south side of the Grand Canal and stretches along the Rathmines Road as far as Rathgar to the south, Ranelagh to the east and Harold's Cross to the west.Rathmines has...
, Dublin. The general public is invited to attend the event which normally commences with a parade from the main square in Cathal Brugha Barracks at 11.45 to St. Patrick's Church, also in Cathal Brugha Barracks, on the Saturday morning. Normally over 100 ex-servicemen and women take part in the event and dignitaries from the Defence Forces, Department of Defence and politicians from Ireland and abroad also take part in the ceremony.
Every year on Easter Sunday ONET commemorates deceased members of the Irish Defence Forces
Irish Defence Forces
The armed forces of Ireland, known as the Defence Forces encompass the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force.The current Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence forces is His Excellency Michael D Higgins in his role as President of Ireland...
with a wreath laying ceremony in Arbor Hill, Dublin, where the 1916 Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
burial plot is located. This annual event is called (in Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
) Lá na bhFiann. The event is normally attended by over one hundred ex-servicemen and women who have served their country both at home and abroad on UN service as well as members of the Defence Forces
Irish Defence Forces
The armed forces of Ireland, known as the Defence Forces encompass the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force.The current Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence forces is His Excellency Michael D Higgins in his role as President of Ireland...
, Government officials, the Lord Mayor of Dublin
Lord Mayor of Dublin
The Lord Mayor of Dublin is the honorific title of the Chairman of Dublin City Council which is the local government body for the city of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The incumbent is Labour Party Councillor Andrew Montague. The office holder is elected annually by the members of the...
, and members of the general public.
Membership and communication
Membership of ONET is open to men and women who have served in the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF), Reserve Defence ForcesIrish Army Reserve
The Army Reserve is the land component of the Reserve Defence Forces . It is the second line reserve of the Army. The Army Reserve is a part-time, fully voluntary organisation, and is one of two elements of the Reserve Defence Forces of Ireland, the other element being the Naval Service Reserve.It...
(RDF), An Slua Muirí, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCÁ), Maritime Inspection, Local Defence Force (LDF), Local Security Force (LSF), Coast Watching Service, Construction Corps, Irish Red Cross
Irish Red Cross
The Irish Red Cross Society , commonly referred to as the Irish Red Cross , is the National Red Cross Society in the Republic of Ireland. It was established by Nurse Elizabeth O'Herrin either on 1 July or 1 August 1939 on the approach of the Second World War...
, or Civil Defence providing such person has had at least one-years satisfactory service and has been honourably discharged. The charity operates on a not-for-profit basis and all funds collected through subscription are applied to the running of the charity and the maintenance and upkeep of the charities homes. To become a member of the company a person must be accepted as a member of a branch and must sign a written declaration of acceptance of the Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association and the Handbook of Rules. Since the year 2000 membership has grown from a low ebb of 1,250 members to its current standing of over 1,700 members some of whom are located overseas in the USA, Canada and Australia. Branches are organised throughout the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
with one Branch located in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. ONET also operates a ‘National Branch’ to cater for Ex-Servicemen and Women who do not live close to a Branch (this includes overseas members). The ONET web site contains an on-line form to join the Organisation which must be printed and forwarded to the Company Secretary.
ONECONNECT is the quarterly magazine which is published by the charity and distributed to its members by post. It is a topical journal that updates members on the charity’s activities for the previous quarter and also informs them of upcoming events. The journal is also used to publish the annual accounts for the organisation prior to the Annual General Meeting as well as distributing nomination papers and ballot papers for Board of Directors positions.
Uniform
ONET members wear a distinctive uniform of Black Blazer with Branch Crest on the left breast, Charcoal Grey Slacks, White Shirt, Navy ONET Crested Tie, Black Shoes and Black Beret with ONET Cap Badge. There are two types of Branch Crest - plain emboidered cloth or Silk and wire. Either crest is acceptable. Medals awarded during service (including ONET service) are displayed on ceremonial occasions and are pinned over the left breast above the ONET Crest. Medals awarded to deceased family members may be worn over the right breast. ONET awards a service medal after three years and a service bar following seven years service with the company. Each Branch has an Irish National flag (Tri-Colour), Branch flag, which displays the ONET Company Crest and a UN flag, all of which are paraded when a local ceremony takes place. ONET is often called upon to perform ceremonial duties for fallen comrades at funeral ceremonies and Branches are frequently requested to take part in St. Patrick's Day Parades.External links
- Official website of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen & Women
- Official website of the Permanent Defence Forces
- Siege of JadotvilleSiege of JadotvilleThe Siege of Jadotville took place in September 1961, during the United Nations intervention in the Katanga conflict in the Congo, central Africa, when a company of Irish UN troops was attacked by troops loyal to the Katangese Prime Minister Moise Tshombe...
- News Article about ONET in the Irish Voice Online Newspaper