On Saturday, 8th November 2025 the Annual Commemoration Ceremony for those who died in the Niemba Ambush took place in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin. The ceremony, which was organised by the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), commenced with Mass in the Garrison Church and was followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Our President, Major-General Maureen O’Brien DSM (Retd.), represented ARCO at the ceremony and laid a wreath on behalf of our organisation
The Niemba Ambush remains the greatest loss of life of Defence Forces personnel in a single incident while serving overseas. An 11-man patrol from 33 Infantry Battalion, which was serving with the United Nations operation in the Congo (ONUC), was ambushed by Baluba tribesmen. Nine men lost their lives in the ambush: Lieutenant Kevin Gleeson (Terenure, Dublin), Sergeant Hugh Gaynor (Leixlip, Kildare), Corporal Peter Kelly (Templeogue, Dublin), Corporal Liam Dougan (Cabra, Dublin), Private Matthew Farrell (Swords, Dublin), Trooper Thomas Fennell (Donnycarney, Dublin), Trooper Anthony Browne Military Medal for Gallantry (Rialto, Dublin), Private Michael McGuinn (Carlow), Private Gerard Killeen (Queen Street, Dublin).
A tenth soldier, Private Patrick Davis, lost his life on 10th November 1960 in the follow-up operation to recover the remains of those killed.
