Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 May 2012
138 Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Defence if he will arrange for the return of the Felix Grant Memorial Plaque to Clonmel, County Tipperary, following its removal on the closure of Kickham Barracks, Clonmel in view of the fact that he served at Kickham Barracks, Clonmel and his family resides in the town. [23458/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraCompany Sergeant (CS) Felix Grant (RIP) lost his life in the Congo on 3 October 1960. His death is particularly significant as he was the first serving member of the Defence Forces to die on overseas service. Following his death a memorial plaque was erected by his comrades in the 12 Infantry Battalion on the wall of Our Lady of the Rosary Garrison Church in Kickham Barracks, Clonmel. On 9 February 2012 the Garrison Church in Clonmel held its final mass and it was deconsecrated thereafter. In order to ensure the safety and security of the plaque after the barracks closed, it was removed to the Garrison Church in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, where the remainder of the 12 Infantry Battalion personnel serve.
On 15 March 2012, despite difficulties in making contact with surviving members of his family, the Officer Commanding Kickham Barracks wrote to the daughter of CS Grant to advise her of plans to hold a re-erection ceremony of the plaque in Sarsfield Barracks Garrison Church in Limerick on a date to be confirmed. However no reply was received.
Neither my Department nor the Military authorities has had an approach from the family of the late CS Grant in relation to the memorial plaque.
