A special ceremony to commemorate Irish soldiers who fought in the siege of Jadotville will take place in Athlone today.
The event - at Custume Barracks - will formally recognise the bravery of the ‘A’ Company of the 35th Infantry Battalion, 55 years after they were attacked in the Congo while on UN peacekeeping duty.
The group came under attack on 13th September 1961, and managed to defend their post for several days.
Five of the Irish troops were injured during the siege, although all survived the battle.
It is estimated around 300 of the attackers were killed, and hundreds more injured.
The soldiers were eventually captured on 17th September. They were released more than a month later.
Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe will today present military citations to the soldiers from the midlands and the next of kin of those who were on duty with the battalion.
Today's ceremony comes following decades of efforts to have the company's efforts officially recognised.
The Siege of Jadotville, a film based on the events in 1961, is being released in Irish cinemas on Monday ahead of a gloabl release on Netflix early next month.
