Chief of staff to attend onet annual service

The Mullingar Branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teoranta) (ONET), will be holding its Annual Service of Remembrance for deceased members, this Sunday August 31.

The service is also a time to remember deceased colleagues and friends who served with the Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann at Columb Barracks in Mullingar over the years.

The service will commence at 11am with a wreath laying ceremony at our monument at the main gate of Columb Barracks which will be carried out by ONET national president, Gus Hennessey, with military honours being rendered.

A ceremony will also take place in which our old branch flag/colours will be laid up and the new branch flag/colours will be marched on to parade. In true military tradition, the Last Post and Reveille will be sounded as a mark of respect for our fallen comrades.

All on parade will then form up, led by a Colour Party and the Pipes and Drums of the ONET/St Conleth’s Pipe Band, and march from the monument at Columb Barracks to the Cathedral of Christ the King for 12.30pm Mass. A Roll of Honour of deceased members will be read out by author and historian, Ruth Illingworth.

It will be a historic occasion for the Mullingar branch, with the branch being honoured that the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann, Lieutenant General Conor O’Boyle, will be present on the day and will lead the dignitaries gathered at the cathedral.

Lt Gen O’Boyle is the first Mullingar man to hold the prestigious position of Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann, following in the footsteps of General Michael Collins, General Richard Mulcahy and General Sean MacEoin.

Other dignitaries will include Mr Hennessey, local politicians including the mayor of Mullingar, Cllr Ken Glynn, and senior officers from the following state bodies: the Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann (Permanent and Reserve), An Garda Síochána, Westmeath Fire Service, Westmeath Civil Defence and Offaly Civil Defence, as well as members from ONET branches throughout Ireland and fellow veterans organisations such as the Irish Naval Association and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, and the families of deceased members.

The Mullingar branch would like to extend an invite to all those who wish to attend our ceremonies of remembrance. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Rev Fr McMahon, for his continued support towards the Mullingar Branch, ONET

By Jason P McKevitt, PRO, Mullingar Branch, Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teoranta (ONET),