The Irish Medals link on the left contains information on the various medals issued by the Irish Government.
The Department of Defence no longer issue replacement 1916 or War of Independence medals, you can apply for a certificate of service.
Relatives of those who were awarded a 1916 Medal and/or a War of Independence Medal can now apply for a certificate of service. Unfortunately, it is not possible at this time to reissue original medals. The certificate will be issued to the nearest direct next-of-kin. Please write to the following address for this service:
Veterans Administration Section,
Department of Defence,
Renmore,
- Please provide Veterans Administration Section with as many of the personal details as possible to include full name (and any variations in spelling), date of birth, the address/s resided at during the period in which they may have made the application (1924 to 1949 most likely) and the name of any next of kin at that time.
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Below is a list of Óglaigh na hÉireann Irish Defence Forces personnel who either died or were killed in action while serving with the United Nations. The memorial pictured was unveiled in Dublin on the 15th of November 2008 and is dedicated to all Óglaigh na hÉireann Irish Defence Forces personnel who gave their lives in the cause of world peace. The pyramid-shape granite memorial depicts members of the four component parts of the Defence Forces, The Army, Navy, Air Corps and Reserve. The figures are cast in bronze and standing guard over an eternal flame that emanates from the Defence Forces Badge at the centre of the structure.
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The Eternal Flame
Ireland
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26/06/1923
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On the 26th of June 1923 2nd Lieutenant John Francis McDonagh, Irish Air Service, Óglaigh Na hÉireann/National Forces died from injuries received in a plane crash on the 25th, he was an observer in the plane which crashed near Fermoy Aerodrome, Cork, the pilot was Lieutenant McCulloch. At about 400 to 500 feet the plane went into a spin and spiralled to the ground at tremendous speed hitting trees before crashing into the ground. The pilot was thrown clear of the wreckage and although receiving serious injuries he survived. McDonagh was 21 years old and had served with the IRA during the War of Independence and joined the National Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, he was from Dublin. He was buried at New Cemetery, Esker, Lucan County Dublin after mass at Baldonnel Aerodrome.
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24/01/1924
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On the 24th of January 1924 Lieutenant Timothy Nevin, Army Air Corps, Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces died from injuries received following an aeroplane (Hispano-Bristol BF2) crash at Baldonnel Aerodrome on the 23rd of January 1924, he was a native of Bullaun, Loughrea, County Galway. He was flying at 3,000 feet when the engine stalled, he descended to 1,000 after which the plane went into a spin and crashed to the ground. An inquiry into the crash found that the engine was in good order and that the pilot had made several errors, turning badly and not keeping the nose of the plane down. The inquiry heard from expert witnesses that 60 percent of fatal air accidents were caused by pilot failure when going into a turn. Nevin was born on the 1st of December 1895 and he had joined the Volunteers in January 1916 serving with B Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Western Division, IRA. He joined the National Army at its inception transferring to the Air Corps in June 1923 he obtained his pilots certificate in December 1923.
22/09/1925
On Tuesday the 22nd of September 1925 Commandant (Major) Thomas Joseph Maloney of the Irish Air Corps died as a result of an air crash during Army manoeuvers at the Curragh, county Kildare. The accident happened at Cherryvilla about three miles from Kildare. The plane he was flying became entangled in a tree as it swooped low in a mock bombing of a bridge. The observer in the plane, Sergeant J Treacy was severely shaken but not seriously injured. Major Maloney had to be cut from the wreckage and was removed to the Curragh Military Hospital where he died shortly after arrival.
Maloney was 26 years old and had served with the British Army during WW1 with the Yorkshire Regiment and later joined the R.A.F. where he trained as a pilot and was promoted to Lieutenant. He joined the National Army in August 1922 and served as a pilot at Baldonnell before transferring to Fermoy as Officer Commanding Air Services, he later transferred back to headquarters at Baldonnell. He was educated at Saint Peter’s, Freshfield Lancashire, Saint Munchin’s College Limerick and also attended the Civil Service College Dublin and Birmingham University. He was born on the 16th of January in Shanagolden, Limerick, and was the son of a Farmer.
21/09/1926
On Tuesday the 26th of September 1926 two members of Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces were killed when a plane they were flying as part of military manoeuvres over Hempstown, County Wicklow. The inquest into the death found that although the plane was deemed in good working order in pre-flight checks the engine failed in flight causing it to crash. The two men killed in the crash were:
- Lieutenant Edmond O'Reilly, service number SD2655, Engineers Corps The Curragh County Kildare attached to the Air Corps at Baldonnel County Dublin. He was born in 1901 he joined the National Army on 13 May 1922 at Kilkenny having served with the IRA with the 3rd Tipperary Brigade during the War of Independence.
- Lieutenant Timothy Prenderville, Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces. He died from shock and haemorrhage following laceration of the brain. He was from County Kerry he was 23 years old and was the pilot.
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10/12/1940
- On the night of Tuesday the 10th of December 1940 three members of the Irish Air Corps were killed when a lorry they were travelling in overturned and burst into flames. The three men were part of a party detailed from Baldonnel Aerodrome to Rineanna Airport. While travelling from Nenagh to Limerick at Woodpark Castleconnell the lorry overturned. Along with the men travelling in the back of the lorry was a battery weighing over three ton and a ten gallon drum of petrol. When the lorry turned on its side the battery pinned the three, Lee, Myles and Lynch to the ground, Private J O’Sullivan and Private O’Connor attempted to free the trapped men assisted by Private Lynch, Private O’Connor threw the petrol drum onto the road, a few seconds later a wall of flame engulfed the lorry. The three Privates were forced to flee the lorry by the flames, the lorry was completely burned out. The inquest returned a verdict that death was caused by shock following severe burns and was instantaneous.
- Lieutenant Herbert J. Lee, aged 21, from Swords Dublin, buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.
- Corporal Harry A Myles, aged 21, from Cappoquin Waterford,
- Private Robert Lynch, aged 20, Collerstown, Tara, County Meath.
16/09/1941
On the 16th of September 1941 16 Irish Soldiers were killed when a mine they were training with exploded in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow. Fifteen Soldiers died instantly and another died later from wounds received. The sixteen Soldiers wre:
- Lieutenant M. J. McLoughlin, Green Park Road, Rostrevor, Down.
- 2nd Lieutenant S Fennessy, Balltfermot, Chapelizod, Dublin.
- 2nd Lieutenant P. T. O’Neill, Dunceallaigh, Ferranferris, Cork
- 2nd Lieutenant J J Brereton, 3 Adelaide Terract, Summerhill, Cork
- Sergeant T Stokes, 10 Oaklands Park, Sandymount, Dublin. Sergeant T Stokes was the son of John J Stokes who fought at Boland’s Mills during the 1916 Rising. John J Stokes drowned while attempting to rescue a bather at Ringsend in June 1940.
- Gunner J Murphy, 57 Mount Drummond Square, Harold’s Cross, Dublin.
- Gunner J McDonnell, 190 Carrow Road, North Crumlin, Dublin.
- Corporal C Heffernan, Dublin Road, Kilbeggan
- Corporal D Cleary, Ballinamuck, Dungarvan, Waterford.
- Corporal J Taylor, 78 Ferguson Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.
- Corporal E Kennedy, 4 Jones’s Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.
- Company Sergeant P McMahon, 14 Usher’s Island, Dublin.
- Sergeant M Scullion, Lurtybrack, Letterkenny.
- Gunner J Osborne, 38 Summerhill, Dublin.
- Private J O’Hagan, 14 Brookvale Road, Donnybrook, Dublin. Died later in hospital from injuries received:
- Corporal William Shannon, 14 Mayfield Terrace, Balinteer, Dundrum, County Dublin.
06/09/1942
On Sunday the 6th of September 1942 two members of the 12th Desmond Battalion were accidently killed in a drowning accident on the River Blackwater at Ashe, Fermoy County Cork. A party of military were engaged in fording the river which they entered partly clothed. Sergeant McElligott was only about five yards from the quay wall when he got into difficulty, a civilian, James Coleman of Connolly Street Fermoy jumped in fully clothed in an attempt to save him. Lieutenant Ryan got into difficulties about the same time and was said to have disappeared under the water very quickly. After a dredging operation lasting over half an hour both bodies were recovered. The two men were:
- Lieutenant Thomas A Ryan from Cashel, County Tipperary
- Sergeant John McElligott from Rathlea, Listowel County Kerry.
01/10/1975
Two Soldiers were killed in an accident when an armoured car they were travelling in skidded off the main Dublin-Derry road into a field near Castleblayney County Monaghan. The vehicle overturned pinning the two soldiers underneath. Despite attempts by the local fire brigade and local people they were unable to save the two men, the driver of the vehicle escaped unharmed. Both soldiers were attached to the Army Field Centre at Camp Muckno, Castleblayney. The two soldiers were:
Trooper Michael Mahon of Stillorgan Dublin.
Sergeant Peter Sinnott, aged 34, 2nd Motor Squadron.
26/05/1977
On Thursday the 26th of May 1977 five Soldiers were killed in the Glen of Imaal County Wicklow. The men were manning Number Four gun firing live bombs from Cemetery Hill in the Glen of Imaal at practice targets. Having fired several successful shots they were ordered to prepair for another firing. At 1.45pm Corporal O’Donovan gave the order to drop an 81mm Swedish made mortar into the tube. Seconds later observers on the hill opposite heard a ‘peculiar noise’ and saw something shoot into the air. Father Kevin Lyon of the Parish of Donard County Wicklow anointed the men and gave each of them absolution, he stated four were alive when he arrived on the scene, two were able to talk and asked for Communion.
- Corporal Gerard O’Donovan, aged 19, single, from Curraconway, Farmers Cross, Douglas, County Cork. He was the Mortar Crew Commander.
- Private Donal Nugent, aged 28, married with four children, from Collins Park, Collins Barracks, Old Youghal Road, Cork.
- Private Cornelius Anthony Buckley, aged 21, single, from Rocklodge, Carrigrohane, County Cork.
- Private Daniel O’Connell, aged 28, married with two daughters, from Ard Erin Way, The Glen, County Cork. He had served in the Army for two years.
- Private Anthony (Tony) Hourihane, aged 19, single, from Clancy Road, Finglas East, Dublin. He was in the Army for over two years.
Private Buckley
Private Donal Nugent
Private O’Connell
Corporal O’Donovan
