Mass in honour of Defence Forces members to take place at Cork barracks

FORMER members of the Defence Forces and their relatives will gather at Collins Barracks in Cork on Sunday for a commemorative Mass for deceased members of a unit which had a key role in some of the State’s major developments over the past century.

The Mass at St Michael’s Garrison Church is being organised by the 4th Infantry Battalion Association and the association’s new colour will be blessed at the ceremony.

The 4th Battalion was formed in 1922 in Galway and moved to Cork in 1931.

It was the biggest unit in Cork and the entire southern coast until it was disbanded in 2012 by the Government.

Among the assignments it had over the years was the provision of security for the construction of the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric dam during the 1920s, while it also had a detachment in Waterville when the trans-Atlantic cable was being secured.

It also played a key role in securing the country during the Emergency period from 1939 to 1946.

The battalion also protected vital installations including Cork Airport, the Cork Deep Water Port, biotech and pharmaceutical plants, the national oil refinery and electrical substations.

The Mass will takes place on Sunday at 10.30am.