Minister McEntee Presents Distinguished Service Medals

The Minister for Defence Ms. Helen McEntee TD presented Distinguished Service Medals (DSMs) to a Military Chaplain and serving members of the Defence Forces at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks, Renmore, Co. Galway.

The medal recipients were

Ø Private Dylan Geraghty (with Honours)

Ø Corporal Daniel Padden (with Distinction)

Ø Private Ciara Shanahan (with Merit)

Ø Father Paul Murphy (with Merit)

The award of the medals was made by the Minister on the recommendation of a military board appointed by the Chief of Staff.

Among those attending the ceremony were the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Ms Jacqui McCrum and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, and the families of recipients.

The medals were awarded in recognition of the recipients’ courageous and brave actions in response to the events on the night of 15 August 2024 at the main gate of the 1st Infantry Battalion at Renmore Barracks, during which Fr. Paul Murphy sustained multiple stab wounds.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister McEntee said she was honoured to present the awards to four individuals who had “distinguished themselves with valour in the performance of their duties.’’

The Minister reflected on the individual roles played by Father Murphy, Corporal Padden and Privates Geraghty and Shanahan, noting that the award of the medals reflected their courage, leadership and devotion to duty on the night in question.

Minister McEntee commended them for their “response with the necessary calmness and composure in apprehending the attacker and preventing any loss of life is a testament to the values each and every member of the Defence Forces lives by.”

Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy added “The awarding of Distinguished Service Medals to these four members of Óglaigh na hÉireann is a fitting and well-deserved recognition of their courage, professionalism and moral resolve in the face of a violent attack on Father Paul Murphy.

“Their actions exemplify the very highest standards of Óglaigh na hÉireann. In a moment of extreme danger, they acted decisively, selflessly and with complete regard for the protection of life. This outcome is a direct reflection of the rigorous training, discipline and values instilled in our personnel throughout their careers.

“I am immensely proud of these soldiers. Their conduct brings great pride to their unit, An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe (The 1st Infantry Battalion), and to the Defence Forces as a whole and it reinforces the trust placed in us by the people we serve.”

Minister McEntee also officially opened the new Accommodation Block at University Students’ Accommodation Complement (USAC).

Speaking at the official opening, the Minister said:

“I am delighted to officially open this upgraded accommodation, which represents a significant investment in providing modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, with a 69-bed accommodation unit and associated facilities, to include study areas, meeting rooms, administration support and recreational zones.

“This investment is part of an unprecedented level of investment in defence infrastructure in recent years, which is unparalleled in our history with currently over €257million worth of projects underway and at different stages of completion.”

The Chief of Staff commented that "The opening of the University Student Administrative Complement (USAC) Accommodation is a significant statement of our investment in our people, and the future capability of Óglaigh na hÉireann.

“In providing a facility for personnel of all ranks to pursue their third-level studies, we are removing barriers to the pursuit of professional development. This project is a demonstration of our belief that education, wellness, and excellence are inextricably interlinked.

“I commend those who have delivered a project that is so focused on the Defence Forces personnel as they prepare to meet the evolving demands of Military Service."