Defence Forces Review 2008

Defence Forces Review 2008
how I was going to talk my way out of this one especially since no-one had actually told me
to arm all this stuff in the first place. Thank you Danny!
I remember other things too now that I come to think about it, like going to Naquora after
nearly three months and ringing home from that dark booth near the UNIFIL switch board,
forgetting completely the two hour time difference, and waking my mother at 6.30am in the
morning. Then there was that 60 hr pass in Israel, going for a swim in the Dead Sea, taking
a photo just to prove I was there, risking my life in that terrible cable car ride to the top of
Masada only for Sgt Kieran O’Sullivan to utter the immortal words, “looks just like another
pile of rocks to me”.
But I suppose I was luckier than most for two other reasons. Firstly I was attached to Team
Tyre Observer Group Lebanon for 10 days in February 1983, and living in Tyre Barracks with
a US Major who was so serious it was frightening - and an Australian Captain who was the
direct opposite - I got a glimpse of the “big picture”. I saw what had happened to Tyre City
during Operation Peace for Galilee and driving thorough the streets I thought I was in a scene
from the film Kelly’s Heroes. The city was completely wrecked, battle damage everywhere,
and the ordinary people doing their best to survive in appalling circumstances. I also saw the
Israeli army up close – well it was hard not to because they were all over the place with two
huge camps right outside the barrack walls. I spent many hours in the sentry tower in the north
east corner which had a perfect view into both. Surreal was not the word!
When Cpl Joe Dooley and Sgt Ray Murphy came to take me back to the Hills I tried to explain
my new found understanding of the conflict and they listened patiently. I had it all sorted now
after 10 days as a pseudo UNMO (Military Observer) in Tyre Bks!!. When we hit Haddathah
however I was brought back to earth with unceremonious haste. During my absence the boss
had been inspecting things like ammunition, machine guns, and fire extinguishers in my
APCs - and discovered that all was not well. Suffice to say he was not pleased. So much for
the big picture!
St Patrick’s Day came and Irishbatt dressed up. I went to see the main parade in Camp Shamrock
and the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Tony McCarthy, looked the part as he marched past Gen
Bill Callaghan the Force Commander leading representative groups from the entire battalion.
Sgt Tom Jinks led the pipe band and hurled the staff high into the Lebanese sky. Some begrudgers
hoped he would drop it. Disappointment – he never did.
Paddy Cooney, the Minister for Defence, was out and about that day too, and wearing an Irish
combat jacket as he went from post to post. It was a nice touch and all bar the extreme cynics
(and we had our share) appreciated the gesture.
Later that afternoon B Company got their medals at our own parade in Haddathah just outside
the guardroom. The Battalion Commander presented me with mine and I have a fond memory of
what he said to me as he pinned the medal on my shirt… “ the first of many, Brendan, the first of
many”. I liked Tony McCarthy a lot. He was a fine officer, a decent human being, and someone
who inspired confidence. I’d like to think I learned a lot from him – I hope I have anyway.
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