70 years of service honoured
As gunners of all ranks took post in Caffreys Lounge on Friday evening last, April 29, it was evident it was going to be a good night. The orange pennants and table cloth of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment stood out, as did a backdrop where the military service totalling 67 years for Coy Sgt Paddy Poynton and wife Lorraine, CQMS John Fitzpatrick and wife Linda, and Sgt Derek McKevitt and fiancée Elaine was detailed.
They are three of a declining number of those who served in the 4FAR, Columb Barracks Mullingar, closed and disbanded in 2012 as part of a re-organisation of the Defence Forces.
RSM Lloyd Murphy was organiser and master of ceremony, aided by BQMS Olly Mahedy, BS Jacko McNamee and Cpl Andy Creevy.
There were six Sergeant Majors present, four retired, among the large turnout.
As the numbers in retired veterans groups decline due to age and illness, and none of the present generation are joining, the fact is such presentations for those who served in Mullingar will be no more, as will those belonging to all veterans groups.
“That is something we have no control over,” said retired Sgt Major Noel O’Callaghan, “but what we do control is the way we honour those few remaining past members of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment, Columb Barracks Mullingar, so it was on Friday night, when it was done in the only way acceptable – our regiment way! Soldiers by trade, gunners by profession.”
Those recognised
CS Paddy Poynton
Company Sergeant (CS) Paddy Poynton. Joined on February 22, 1990 in Galway; back to the 4th FAR in June that year and served in Columb Barracks Mullingar until it closed on March 28, 2012. Moved to Costume Barracks, Athlone; promoted to CS January 2019 and stationed in Cathal Brugha Barracks Dublin, until discharge in August 2021. A total of 27 military courses, from basic signals to health and safety instructor to LFTT fire and movement instructor and finished with the dispatch rider course in 2021. Served 11 tours of duty with the UN and EUFOR; 7 UNIFIL Lebanon; 3 UNMIL Liberia; 1 Chad.
Wife Lorraine Bracken-Poynton, retired as Sergeant after 21 years, in 2019. Son Paul Poynton, Gunner, has 10 years served this year, with 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment. Nephew Noel Poynton, Sergeant with 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment. Father Larry Poynton, Retired Regt Sgt Major with the 4th FAR.
CQMS John Fitzpatrick
Company Quarter Master Sergeant (CQMS) John Fitzpatrick, native of Longford. Married to Linda, two sons Dylan (7) and Ethan (3). Joined Defence Forces and (4FAR) on July 13, 1999, promoted to Corporal in 2002 and Sergeant in 2007, then to CQMS 2018, retired April 5, 2022. Served in 4FAR, Columb Barracks, until closure, and moved to Costume Barracks. Finished up in DFHQ McKee Barracks Dublin.
Completed Six tours of Duty Ethiopia and Eritrea, Liberia, Chad, Syria, two UNIFIL in Lebanon. Had privilege of being Pl Sgt of the Arty Platoon with 56 Inf Coy in Syria, the first artillery-led mission under the legendary (Big D) Col Dermot Hanifin. Previous service in FCA, 1993-1999, with 17th Inf Bn in Connolly Barracks, Longford.
Long military history on both sides of family. Father Michael Fitzpatrick served 23 years in 4th Cav Sqn, grandfather Sean Fitzpatrick served 22 years in Cavalry Corp and saw action at the battle for Elizabeth Tunnel in the Congo, where he was wounded. Great grandfather also Sean Fitzpatrick served in the War of Independence and the Free State Army; was among troops with Comdt General Sean McKeon who took the handover of Costume Barracks on February 28, 1922 from British Forces.
On mother’s Kathleen’s side, uncle Martin Mulligan served in 4th Cav Sqn Longford; mother’s grandfather Michael McInerny served in the Curragh and died in service; mother’s Uncle Anthony (Shinners) McInerney served in 6th Inf Bn and was a legendary Sniper, who SAW action at the siege of Jadotville with A Coy 35th Inf Bn.
Sgt Derek McKevitt
Sergeant Derek McKevitt; joined army in June 1999 and retired in August 2021. Served Columb Barracks until its closure and transferred to Costume Barracks. Completed nine tours overseas to Lebanon, Liberia and Syria (six to Lebanon, two to Liberia and one to Syria). Numerous courses, including FOO, regimental surveyor, crowd riot control, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, PTS and PTI. Sporting achievements, six times All Army winner in pitch and putt (junior level). Paternal great grandfather was a POW in WWI serving with the Irish Guards. Paternal grandfather spent 44 years in the Irish Defence Forces, and completed four tours overseas, to Cyprus and Congo (Battle of the Tunnel). Father and brother served with the 4FAR in Columb Barracks.