A GALWAY Army officer has become the first female deputy commander of a Defence Forces overseas unit.
Comdt Maureen O’Brien travels to Chad next week, overseeing 420 troops from the Army’s 4th Western Brigade who are being deployed to the United Nations mission in Chad, central Africa.
The four-month tour of duty will be led by Lieut-Col Ian Hanna.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea and Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieut-Gen Dermot Earley reviewed the 420 members of the 100th Infantry Battalion in Galway’s Eyre Square yesterday, and congratulated Comdt O’Brien on her posting.
Comdt O’Brien shares a surname with – but is no relation of – Lieut-Cdr Roberta O’Brien of the Naval Service, who became first woman to command a Naval Service patrol ship.
Coincidentally, Galway was also the location for that bit of history as Lieut-Cdr O’Brien was appointed to the LE Aisling, which is twinned with the western capital, late last year.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Comdt O’Brien said that she was delighted with the opportunity, and looked forward to being appointed commander of an Army unit at some point. This is her fifth tour overseas.
She has already served twice in Lebanon, and also in western Sahara, in East Timor and in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“It will be hard leaving family behind, but leaving home is very much part of the job,”she said.
“I am very proud to be the first woman to act as deputy commander, and especially when it is the Western Brigade, as I am from Galway.
“I look forward to maybe one day acting as commander, but I’ll have to get promotion first,” she added.
The members of the battalion are drawn from the 4th Western Brigade barracks locations in Galway, Athlone, Westmeath, Cavan and Donegal.
The Irish-speaking Chéad Cathalán Cois (First Infantry Battalion) based in Renmore, Galway, is the lead unit.
Mr O’Dea spoke of the pride felt by the “entire nation” in the Army’s achievements on UN missions, and wished the Western Brigade a safe and successful tour of duty.
Family and friends attended yesterday’s ministerial review in Eyre Square, with music provided by the Western Command Army band. The unit will deploy to Chad on May 21st and on June 4th, relieving the 99th Infantry Battalion.
