A number of members of the Defence Forces with Kildare connections were presented with Value Awards at a ceremony earlier this week.
On 13th November 2023 at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel, the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Ms Justice Síofra O Leary presented Defence Forces members with Values Awards in the company of Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Award winners and their families and colleagues.
This is the 6th iteration of the Awards, whose recipients are Defence Forces personnel who have best displayed Selflessness, Loyalty, Integrity, Moral Courage, Physical Courage and Respect. Nominated by their peers, these personnel were chosen as those who best exemplify the values and standards of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy extends his gratitude to the families of the award winners and speaks about the Defence Forces Values.
'It gives me great pleasure to be here today to host this year’s Defence Force’ Values Award ceremony. I particularly wish to extend our gratitude to your families, whose sacrifices and support enable us to serve and perform our tasks to the highest possible standards. The legacy, standards and traditions of the proud men and women that have preceded us should not be forgotten. The culture they established and developed was and remains one which is underpinned by our values. Our values of respect, loyalty, selflessness, physical courage, moral courage and integrity are the constants that underpin our values-based leadership. The Defence Force’ values are our key strength. As serving members we must continue to build upon the legacy of our forebears, while demonstrating our core values, which are the foundation on which our organisation is built and guide our behaviour in both our personal and professional lives.'
RESPECT
Corporal Lorraine Byrne (Kildare)
"Cpl Byrne is credited with exemplifying the Value of Respect in
her approach to her work in Records and Data Management, DFTC Hq. She is widely known
and respected throughout the Formations as the “GURU” on DFRs and Admin Instructions.
This has not come about with 33 years of service and knowledge gained but by Lorraine’s
desire to assist, motivate and guide her comrades. Her role in R & D Mgt office is the engine
and Lorraine its driver who assists the wider DF audience in all matters regarding admin and
HR practices. Such is her respect for her profession that on many occasions she has forfeited
personal time and annual leave to ensure the smooth administration in induction of cadets,
apprentices and recruits. Such is her respect to her comrades that the knowledge that she
imparts on a daily basis to those around her and indeed to those who contact her means she is
a constant team player dedicated to her peers, subordinates and superiors."
MORAL COURAGE
Lt Kenneth Godden (student) & Lt Eoin Blake (instructor)
For your joint actions on 26th February 2021 when your Pilatus PC-9M aircraft experienced
engine power loss at 16,000 feet over Co Kildare.
Lt Godden – student (Dublin)
- Acted under intense pressure and conducted the precise and accurate actions to ensure
engine shut down in a timely manner giving optimal glide performance
- Consequences for error would have resulted in abandonment and potentially large loss
of life had the aircraft been lost over a town or city.
- Lt Godden displayed moral courage and resulted in textbook actions which resulted in
the safe recovery of crew and aircraft.
- Displayed precise and effective CRM in a tense situation
Lt Blake – instructor (Wexford)
- Having the moral courage to secure the engine, further damage was prevented which
ensured that the engine did not disintegrate, with potential crew ejection avoided.
- Extreme danger to crew and public was prevented.
- With obscured vision, he glided the aircraft back to Baldonnel and landed safely due
to the excellent use of CRM. By directing his student pilot through relevant check lists and
cross checked all required actions.
- It should be noted that Lt Blake qualified as a Flight Instructor the day before this
incident and was conducting the first instructional flight of his career.
LOYALTY
F/Sgt Thomas Deveraux (Kildare)
"Recently promoted F/Sgt Tom Deveraux spent the majority of his career before promotion, in
the DFTC, with over 13 years in the Military College (DFPES & NCO Trg Wing) His loyalty
to the Military College with significant time spent undertaking high intensity instructional
duties mark him out for recognition of the DF Value of Loyalty.
He brings boundless energy, enthusiasm and professional expertise to the role of military
instructor and is a devoted NCO who seeks at every opportunity to enhance and develop
students under his tutelage.
His loyalty to his students has been consistent and relentless with his personal ethos of “put the
student first”. He is not only loyal to the Defence Forces, he is also loyal to his colleagues as a
source of sound advice and his industry and zeal for his profession is a source of inspiration to
many.
SELFLESSNESS
Sgt Maj Kenneth Hurley (RIP) Longwood, Co. Meath, formerly of Clonakilty, Co. Cork, based in DFTC, Kildare
Award accepted by his wife Ann Hurley
Nominated by Lt Eamonn Fitzsimons on behalf of the CIS Group and CIS Corps, who credits
Kenneth as an outstanding conscientious and hardworking NCO. Eamonn continues that he
has served with many exceptional people at home and overseas but it is “without doubt that
Sgt Maj Hurley’s levels of leadership, empathy, integrity, respect to others, courage and
selflessness set him aside from others I have worked with”
• Although living through a period of extreme personal challenge, Sgt Maj Hurley
continues to carry out his wide and varied workload across CIS Technical projects.
• Even whilst receiving robust medical treatment he continued to work on behalf of the
CIS corps progressing many Research & Development projects which required self-sacrifice,
personal commitment & dedication.
• An embodiment of professionalism with outstanding technical and tactical expertise
was an inspiration to all members of the CIS Corps,
• Sgt Maj Hurley was an entirely selfless individual, a senior leader, a valued colleague
and mentor
INTEGRITY
Private Sean Martin & Private Neil Martin (Donegal)
"To recognise the integrity shown by both of you through your actions in your family,
community and Unit in the aftermath of the tragic passing of your Mam Martina, at Creeslough.
Nominated by Sgt Liam Russell, you are both credited with showing many of our values
consistently since your Mother’s death and amid the depths of this grief you honoured your
mother at her funeral with dignity, respect and composure. The integrity shown by you both
since you returned to work in Finner Camp has not gone un-noticed and you continue to show
outstanding courage and dedication to service. On a daily basis you have demonstrated
professionalism and commitment when conducting your duties, exercises and training for the
Defence Forces."
PHYSICAL COURAGE
Special Operations Task Unit 6 Army Ranger Wing
"Nominated for their meritorious actions and conduct during their deployment to MINUSMA.
In late June 2021, SOTU 6 responded to an urgent request for support from ISR Coy TAC Hq
who had encountered a Suicide Vehicle-Borne IED leaving many MINUSMA colleagues
injured. On arrival SOTU 6 provided lifesaving medical assistance in the field and led the
CASEVAC by requesting and guiding in five heli-MEDEVACS and acted as stretcher bearers.
Once MEDAVACS were completed SOTU 6 continued to provide support to the mission by
providing vital intel and acting as a mobile QRF for the move back to camp Castor. Letter of
appreciation from Major Bochow, ISR Coy Comd stated: “With your effort and capabilities
you saved lives in TARKINT. With your medical experts you supported the medical care of
our wounded comrades in an outstanding way.”
OVERALL DF VALUES CHAMPION
Cpl Barry Foley (Donegal)
Cpl Barry Foley, recently received a meritorious promotion to Cpl. Nominated by many
members of 28th Inf Bn across multiple award categories.
- Over 38 years service in 28 Inf Bn
- Consistently displays the values of Oglaigh na hEireann.
- His rank does not reflect his level of influence in the Unit.
- Is a long time mentor and a figure of guidance to personnel of the Bn regardless of rank.
- Provides sound actionable advice which has been developed through his many years of
experience.
- Leader of the Environmental team, managing over 300 acres of land in a manner which
ensures Finner Camp is maintained to its best all year round.
- Carries out his wider duties (regimental, TRRs, ceremonial) without complaint.
- “Men of Barry’s quality are few and far between but he is a torch bearer who by his
example, passes on the positives aspects of our shared culture to the next generation”
Comdt Brendan McGovern
- “As IC of the Environmental Section, he has accepted the responsibility and taken on a
leadership capacity managing and directing a small number of his peers in their daily
tasks” BSM Patrick Enfield
- “Barry is a soldier of the old school who puts the job first, is loyal to his colleagues,
his Unit and the DF. He lives the values he is nominated for” CS Kieran Crawford
