Peter keenan O N E Longford

10/07/2025

THE GLORIOUS 17TH INFANTRY BATTALION
NOW ON SALE IN NEWSROUND ROSCOMMON PAUL’S NEWSAGENT AND IN A&D SELECTIONS IN MOHILL, DAWN TIL DUSK IN STROKESTOWN, JUST BOOKS IN MULLINGAR AND NEWSROUND AND PAT MOLLAGHANS IN LONGFORD.

07/07/2025

Some of the veterans that turned out today to pay their respects to JQ, who was held in high esteem by everyone, many others were also represented in the large gathering. Rest easy old friend, until we meet again.

05/07/2025

EX TPR JOHN QUIGLY JQ
It was with great sadness we heard of the passing of our great friend and former colleague John Quigly. John or JQ as he was affectionately known died yesterday 4th July 2025 in Mullingar Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He enlisted in the Curragh in 1970 and was posted to the 4th Motor Squadron after basic training. He came to Longford with the Squadron in July of 1972, he married and made his home in the midland county. John was a very dependable soldier, always done his fair share of the arduous duties that the border post required of all personnel. He was an excellent driver of all modes of transport used by the Cavalry Squadron. He was always cheerful and happy in his work and a friend to all he served with. After 12 years he left the army but he always kept in touch with those he served with and attended all commemorative events. In later years his social media output was extensive, with many photos and memories of his military friends, and his family, which always came first. Rest in peace old friend.
To his wife Kathleen, family, relatives, and many friends we offer our sincere condolences. Some images of John’s army service posted here.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Reposing at Kelly’s Funeral Home, Athlone Road, Longford (N39 K381) this Sunday 6th July from 4.00pm concluding with prayers at 6.00pm.
Funeral Mass will take place on Monday 7th July at 11.00am in St Mel’s Cathedral, followed by burial in Ballymacormack Cemetery.
The Funeral Mass will be streamed live, please go to www.longfordparish.com

26/06/2025

THE GLORIOUS 17TH INFANTRY BATTALION
This book can be purchased in NEWSROUND and PAT MOLLAGHANS at the Cathedral in Longford Town, or off Hugh Farrell, it will be posted to anyone requiring a copy who can’t make it to Longford. In the coming weeks we hope to have outlets in Leitrim, Roscommon, and Cavan. Hugh Farrell will accept payment on Revolut or PayPal, his mobile 0863706562, email hufarel@gmail.com the price including postage in Ireland is €31. If anyone requires a copy further afield UK postage will be €12.50 USA €25 and Australia €33. Those charges stand for this year. Pat Grimes and Killian Scollan supplied those fantastic images from the launch.

25/06/2025

The chairman of the Peter Keenan Branch would like to thank all who turned out today at Abbeylara. The members rendered the honors and paid fitting tribute to ex Cpl John McCormack who had served with distinction in both 4th Motor Squadron and 17th Infantry Battalion. Images from Church and adjoining graveyard attached.

12/06/2025

CHRISTY POWELL JADOTVILLE VETERAN 810165 6TH BATTALION
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Christy Powell, today June 12th. Christy born in County Longford in 1943 was one of the heroes of the Jadotville siege. He enlisted in Custume Barracks Athlone in 1960 and trained with Danny Molloy and John Purtill, all three would soon be fighting for their lives in central Africa. Christy joined the Military Police soon after returning from the Congo, he remained with them all through his long service. To his wife, family, relatives, and friends we offer our sincere condolences. Rest in peace.

12/06/2025

Military Civilian, the more the merrier, everyone welcome to what promises to be a great event and reunion. On the night of the launch, those wishing to purchase a book, its cash only as we haven't got digital or card payments set up.

01/06/2025

HISTORY OF THE 17th BATTALION
LAUNCH 7.30PM LONGFORD LIBRARY 20TH JUNE BY JOURNALIST AND FORMER MEMBER OF E COMPANY PAUL WILLIAMS
The Glorious 17th Infantry Battalion, this history of the 17th Infantry Battalion which had its HQ in Connolly Barracks Longford is a must read for all that served, or had family serving in this famous Unit. A Company was in county Longford, B Company while based in Granard Co. Longford, spilled over the boundaries of Westmeath and Cavan. C Company was based in the Strokestown area of Roscommon. D Company was based in Ballyconnell Co Cavan, while E Company was based around Roscommon town, until it reverted-back to 16th Infantry Battalion in 1979. F Company had its HQ in Mohill, county Letrim up to 1979, it then replaced Roscommon as E Company. Some three hundred photos from the early days to the present are included, with captions. The history also covers two earlier versions of the 17th, first one was based in Kilkenny, Kerry, and Westmeath, during the Civil War and its aftermath. The second one was based in Donegal during the Emergency from 1940-1946. 1959 saw the return of the Glorious 17th for a third time, for the next 45 years thousands of young men and from 1990 young women, from across those counties mentioned above, would learn a wide range of skills, which they brought with them into their future careers. It has been remarkable that very few if any of those youngsters that spent time in the FCA have come to the notice of the authorities in any jurisdiction in which, they in later life lived and worked. Each Company is documented, with lists of personnel, their triumphs and tragedies are highlighted. Included in this narrative is a short account of the men from this area that soldiered at Jadotville in September 1961, many of them served at some time with the 17th Battalion as training Officers, instructors, drivers, one, Comdt Joe Leech was commanding officer of the Battalion from 1979 to 1983. We also look briefly at these units that succeeded the 17th Battalion, the 56th Reserve Infantry Battalion and 54th Reserve Cavalry Squadron. This book costs €25, you can contact the author on 0863706562, email hufarel@gmail.com.

21/05/2025

21/05/2025

We were saddened to hear of the death of John Linehan, John passed away on Tuesday 20th of May in Mullingar hospital. He was one of those soldiers from the South that were posted to the border in 1969. A native of Doneraile Co Cork he soon settled in Longford and served in the Medical Corps and 4th Motor Squadron in Connolly Bks. He served overseas on several occasions with both Units mentioned above. He was a very capable Medic and later Driving Instructor.To his family, relatives, military colleagues and friends we offer our sincere condolences. Rest in peace old friend. John Linehan,

formerly Inchnagree, Buttevant, Co Cork.

Passed away peacefully on May 20th 2025, surrounded by his loving family and in the tender loving care of the doctors, nurses and staff of Ward 4, Mullingar General Hospital.

Son of the late William and Margaret Linehan.

John, will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by his loving family, sons Ian and Liam, daughter Louise, step children; Michael, Sinitta, Sarah and Cathy, brothers;Liam, Teddy and Donie, grandchildren; Layla Rose, Andrew and Gemma, sisters-in-law, his good friends Danny, Patricia, Anne,Vinnie, Jackie and Joan, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

May John Rest In Peace

John will repose in Hannon's Funeral Home, Doneraile, Co Cork H51HN30 on Thursday evening, May 22nd from 7pm to 8.30pm followed by removal to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Doneraile, Eircode P51W2XF.

Requiem Mass on Friday, May 23rd at 2pm followed by burial in Oldcourt cemetery, Doneraile.

Funeral Mass will be live streamed on www.doneraileparish.ie

20/05/2025

We were saddened to hear of the passing of John Horgan who died today, May 20th. Slick as he was affectionately known joined the defense forces in 1970 after a spell in the British army. He soon rose through the ranks and was one of the 4th Motor Squadron expert instructors. If available he was always on call for all our military funerals, as he was very proficient at ceremonial drill. He was an excellent driving instructor and won many awards for his skills in the all army competition's. He will always be remembered in Longford for his handling of an outbreak or epidemic of USL in the late nineties. His solution to this problem is the stuff of legends. John was a happy go lucky fellow who was seldom in bad form, always ready for a party or singsong. Several trips overseas, including the first one garnered him many friends. After retiring he attended many events with the ONE and Glen Garry Club. To his family, relatives, army colleagues and friends we offer our sincere condolences. Rest in Peace old friend.

03/05/2025

JOHN WILLIAM FLYNN JADOTVILLE VETERAN
807245, 4th G/Coy AOC
“Near the mining town of Jadotville, out on the African plain,
They fought their greatest battle, in that rugged, wild terrain,
For forty years their government ignored this gallant stand,
It was swept beneath the carpet like so many grains of sand,
But today their deeds are recognised, with medals on parade,
We’ll finally hail those warriors from the Western Brigade’.

We were saddened to hear of the death of John (Sean) Flynn of Legion Terrace in Longford, although his name had appeared on the roll of honour of Jadotville deceased a few years ago his passing took place on April 30th 2025 at Moycullen Nursing Home, County Galway. John was born into a military family in 1938, his father Patrick was a veteran of the Great War. Sean was one of fifteen Longford born soldiers that took part in the now famous Jadotville siege. He joined the army in Athlone circa 1957, and after basic training he joined the Ordinance Corps, he served with several members of the Corps at Jadotville. Some-time after returning to Ireland he transferred to Renmore Barracks Galway, where he served for many years. To his wife and family, we offer our sincere condolences, may he rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements Monday 5 May, 2025
Reposing at the O' Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, Galway (H91 V1K8) from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Tuesday 6 May, 2025, Requiem Mass will be celebrated for Seán at St Joseph's Church, Presentation Road, on arrival at 11.00 a.m. Private cremation to follow.
House private and no flowers please. Donations if preferred to Western Alzheimer's