The Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, yesterday presented medals and certificates to relatives of crewmen who served on Irish vessels and crewmen who lost their lives during the second World War. The award ceremony at Dublin Castle followed a memorial service at City Quay Church.
Dr Woods said the awards recognised the valiant service given and the supreme sacrifice made by Irish merchant crews during the war.
They were also a tangible acknowledgement by the Government of a debt of honour and were a matter of pride in terms of family heritage for the recipients and extended family.
"Ireland owes an enormous debt of gratitude to seamen who gave their lives for this country during the Emergency and indeed to all those merchant seamen who helped to keep shipping lines and supply routes open during those years."
Dr Woods said he had instituted a change of policy. In the past such awards were sent to recipients by registered post. He had decided that the sacrifices merchant seamen made during the war deserved to be honoured in a more appropriate and dignified way and had directed that marine ministers in future would present the certificates and medals personally.
It is estimated that 156 seafarers lost their lives during the war years. Of these about 80 were entitled to a posthumous award which remained unclaimed. Dr Woods urged relatives or next of kin to come forward and claim any honours due.
Valour medals and certificates were presented on behalf of the Government to the following crewmen and/or the next-of-kin of the following who died on Irish merchant ships during the war:
Edwin Hare, who served on the Ardmore; Edwin Speed, Ardmore; Sydney McNally, Ardmore; Joseph Daigarno, Ardmore; George Rorke Bryan, City of Antwerp; Samuel Naylor, City of Waterford; Joe Reynolds, Clonlara; Joe Rickard, Innisfallen; James O'Connell, Irish Pine; Eamon Donagh, Irish Pine; Matthew O'Neill, Irish Pine; Harry Ward, Irish Pine; Joseph Duffy, Irish Pine; Daniel O'Brien, Kyleclare; Patrick Brannock, Kylecare; Bernard Smith, Leukos; Michael George Young, The Lady Belle; Thomas O'Neill, Irish Larch; Patrick Harris, City of Dublin; William Harris, City of Dublin.