Decision imminent on medals of gallantry awards to Jadotville soldiers

A decision on whether medals will be awarded to the Irish soldiers who survived the Jadotville Siege is imminent.

A six-member group was established by then-Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, to decide whether medals of gallantry should be awarded to the soldiers.

The late Colonel Patrick Quinlan of Caherdaniel led the men as part of a UN peace-keeping mission in Congo in 1961, when they were attacked by 3,000 and held captive for over five weeks.

The men survived, but when they returned home were treated as cowards, and weren't approved for medals at the time.

Speaking on Terrace Talk last evening, Leo Quinlan, son of the late Pat Quinlan, says further time was needed due to the amount of information given to the review group.