Brig Gen Buckley’s long record of service honoured

Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad Civic Reception

Military personnel and their families joined retired Brigadier General Ger Buckley when he was honoured at a civic reception hosted by the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Brig Gen Buckley welcomed his former classmate, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major Gen Tony McKenna, representing the Defence Forces, and the many friends who were in attendance. “Every one of you have played an important part in our lives and we want to use this occasion to say a simple thank you,” he said

He thanked the council for the address of recognition, which leas-cathaoirleach Cllr Ken Glynn, who had nominated him for the honour, presented to him. “We know you have a long record of support for the Defence Forces,”

Brig Gen Buckley told Cllr Glynn, whom he wished well in the local elections.

Brig Gen Buckley retired recently and returned to Mullingar after a five-year stint in Brussels. He had previously served in Lebanon, across the Balkans, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Uganda.

“It’s good to be home,” he declared. He thanked the Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin for letting him don the uniform this one last time.

Brig Gen Buckley came to Columb Barrack in 1983, with Col Johnny McCrann, who was present with his wife Aideen. He “served with the 4th Regiment and unfortunately, not long enough, in the 9th regiment”.

He remembered the “wonderful leaders we had,” mentioning: “Col Jim Prendergast, it’s great to see you here this evening, the late Paddy Keogh, it’s great to have Siobhan with us, and Col Ray Twomey and Rose are with us, among many others”

They had a great cohort of young officers and senior NCOs, he said, also mentioning Lt Col Noel Murphy, Col Paul Whelan, Comdt Padraic McDunphy, Regt Sergeant Major Noel O’Callaghan, RQMS Olly McGurran, and Sgt Joe Quinn, who was present representing IUNVA.

“Joe shepherded me through six months in Lebanon in 1994 when we were trying to uphold artillery standards in an infantry company – we tried,” Brig Gen Buckley laughed.

“I am delighted to have here this evening Comdt Denis Cronin, who is a neighbour of mine, and RQMS Ger O’Connor, both from the 9th regiment,” he said.

“The Reserves were an integral part of life in Columb Barracks.

They brought the community to the barracks and broke down the walls that often separated us from the rest of the community. We all look forward to the successful regeneration of the Reserves,” he added.

Brig Gen Buckley said he was honoured to receive the address of on his own behalf, and on behalf of the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann, and specifically all who served in Columb Barracks, and their families.

Brig Gen Buckley said he had two abiding emotions on retiring from the Defence Forces – pride and gratitude. He was proud to have served Óglaigh na hÉireann for over 40 years. “I am as proud today as the day I arrived in The Curragh in November 1981 as an impressionable young man, but the pride today is different.

“It is pride in what the Defence Forces have contributed to our society, at home and across a myriad of troubled spots across the world; I’m proud that the Defence Forces have always been there to serve the people of Ireland when required, and proud of the type of organisation the Defence Forces endeavours to be,” he declared.

He said he felt gratitude because the army had enriched his life.

“It provided me with training, education, and opportunities like no other.

It has provided me with wonderful experiences around the world, even if some of those opportunities did not look so wonderful at the time.

“Above all, life in the Defence Forces allowed me to work with incredible people, many of whom are in this room. Working with you has enriched my life,” he told the gathering.

Brig Gen Buckley thanked Catherine Darby and Mary Goldsberry and all the council staff “for organising this wonderful event”.

He thanked his wife Emir and daughter Moya for their love and unconditional support, and for always being there.

Making the presentation, Cllr Glynn spoke of the Brigadier General’s extensive overseas experience, operating across a broad spectrum of security environments, including conflict prevention and peacekeeping with the UN, crisis management with NATO, post conflict resolution with OSCE, and the security sector with the EU.

Most recently, he has served as a Defence Forces director of combat support and ISTAR, with additional responsibility for the Reserve Defence Forces, he pointed out.

Cllr Glynn thanked Brig Gen Buckley for “his outstanding contribution and achievements in Ireland and overseas”.

Mary Goldsberry, district manager, thanked Dominic Evans, Sean Murphy and Catherine Darby for organising the event, and Derek Tuite Catering for the array of delicious sweet and savoury finger foods on offer.

As the crowd enjoyed the refreshments, they renewed old friendships and shared memories.

“It’s nice to meet old friends,” a veteran soldier was heard to comment, while the wife of a retired soldier reminisced about the great dances and social events they had enjoyed in the Officers’ Mess in Columb Barracks. “And look at it now,” another said with a sigh.