Irish United Nations Veterans Association
IUNVA | Honouring | Caring | Remembering
Ceremony Kickham Plaza, Clonmel Sun 29 Jun 2025
By PRO IUNVA
On Sunday next, 29 Jun 2025, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Waterford and Lismore Diocese, will celebrate a Jubilee ceremony for Armed Forces, Police, Emergency and Rescue Services at Kickham Plaza (formerly Kickham Bks main square) at 1400 hours. When the ceremony concludes at 1445 approximately, Tipperary County Council will unveil a plaque in memory of Lieut Gen David Stapleton DSM who was a native of Clonmel.
Gen Stapleton joined the DF as a member of 30 Cdt Class in 1955 and he was commissioned on 25 Nov 1957. He served in the S&T Corps with 1 Fd S&T Coy in Cork and later in CTC in the Dep S&T, Mil Col anf HQ 6 Bde and in DFHQ in Ops Sec and in the S&T Directorate.
He served in the Congo (ONUC) from May to Nov1962 as a Lieut with 37 Inf Bn, as an unarmed military observer with UNTSO as a Capt in the Middle East during 1972 and 1973, he e served twice with UNIFIL as a Comdt in 1983 as 2/IC 53 Inf Bn and 1985 as Tpt Gp Comd with 57 Inf Bn. His second last overseas posting was from Mar 1989 to Mar 1990 as a Lieut Col with the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia. In Jun 1997 he was selected by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan for the post as FC UNDOF. He was appointed COS in Aug 1998 when he was promoted to the rank of Lieut Gen. At the end of his almost 45 service to the State at home and overseas in Sept 2000 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with Honour, the citation reads: “For outstanding qualities of leadership, resource and devotion to duty in his distinguished service with the United Nations as Force Commander UNDOF, and as Quartermaster-General and Chief of Staff of the Defence Force during a period of considerable change“. He died on 13 Jun 2016 at his home in Newbridge Co Kildare.
Members of IUNVA are invited to attend this ceremony. Uniform Dress with medals and white gloves.
Photo: Gen Stapleton’s portrait in McKee Officers Mess.
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Honouring
We honour our fallen comrades by holding Annual Wreath Laying Ceremonies at our Irish United Nations Veterans Association Memorials and gravesides.
Events are held annually throughout the country by our Posts.
We have a number of burial plots countrywide for members who fall on hard times. Details and requests can be made to National Welfare Officer of any Post Welfare Officer.
Caring
To advise and assist our veterans, who have been adversely affected physically or mentally as a result of their UN Service. Welfare Officers are available countrywide to provide assistance for those who may have difficulties in coping with burials, domestic issues and accomm-odation needs. We have a number of Drop-in Centres, some with accommodation countrywide where members and non-members are welcome to visit for advice, tea, coffee, comradeship and a friendly chat.
Remembering
To ensure the memory of those who gave their lives, service and sacrifice in the cause of peace on United Nations Service is not forgotten. To remember deceased ex-members of the Defence Forces who served at home and overseas and members of an Gardai.
We continue to erect IUNVA Memorials and secure graves countrywide.
MiSsion Statement
The main objects or charitable purposes for which the Association is established are:
The prevention or relief of poverty and economic hardship and the provision of financial relief in cases of necessity or distress to members of IUNVA and their dependants within capabilities.
To provide financial and other supports to veterans whose lives have been adversely affected as a result of service with the United Nations.
Integration of disadvantaged veterans and promotion of their full participation in society.
- To promote, for the public benefit, the commemoration of Irish citizens who have died in the cause of world peace while on service with the United Nations or on United Nations mandated missions or operations.
Subsidiary Objects
As objects incidental and ancillary to the attainment of its Main Objects, the Association shall have the following subsidiary objects:
- To promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the history of Irish participation in United Nations peace support missions and operations.
- To support, where requested, training, education and awareness within the Defence Forces and other organisations regarding overseas service and the history of Irish participation – particularly where lessons were identified or major challenges overcome – and to promote the remembrance of lost comrades through membership of the Association.
- To support commemorative and ceremonial events organised by the State, Óglaigh na hÉireann (The Defence Forces), An Garda Síochána, local authorities, local communities and other national veterans’ associations.
- To assist with academic research into Irish involvement in United Nations and United Nations mandated peace support operations and missions, and the collection and collation of archival material in this regard.
- To provide and coordinate health education courses, advice and counselling for members.
- To provide a network of support and social interaction through the organisation of social, recreational, cultural and sporting activities for members and their dependants.
- To establish, maintain and encourage contact with likeminded kindred associations and agencies in Ireland and in other countries.
- To engage and advocate with central government, local government, state and voluntary agencies in advancing the interests of the Association, its members and families of members.
ABOUT US
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