'Hugs and kisses to all': Camp Shamrock peacekeepers send Christmas messages and well wishes to family

There are currently 30 Cork members of the Defence Forces serving in Camp Shamrock. Some asked The Echo to pass along to their loved ones at home their fondest Christmas wishes:

Gunner James Matthews

“I’m Gnr James Matthews from Ballyvolane. I’d like to say hello and merry Christmas to my mother, father, and sister. On Christmas Day, I’ll be enjoying the Christmas festivities with my friends and fellow soldiers in UNP 2-45.”

Gnr Shaun Waugh

“I’m Gnr Shaun Waugh from Kilkenny but based in Collins Barracks in Cork. I want to say hello to my mother Caroline, my two sisters Ciah and Rhiana, as well as my beautiful girlfriend Emma. What we’ll be doing on Christmas Day is hopefully having Christmas dinner with some of my fellow troops … and not on guard duty!”

Corporal Sean Shanahan

“I’m Cpl Sean Shanahan, I’m from Cork, I’m currently on my third mission overseas to South Lebanon. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my wife Joanne and my baby boy Callan a very happy Christmas and also wish my mother, father, sister Carly, her husband Brian, and the two girls Sophie and Lucy, and all extended family and friends a happy Christmas and a happy new year.”

Captain Briain Minihane

“I’m engineer platoon commander with the 127th Infantry Battalion serving on my first overseas mission. I’m from Cloyne, Co Cork. I would like to say hello and happy Christmas to my girlfriend Éilis, her family in Mayo, my mother Mary, and sister Meadhbh, and all my family in Cloyne. Hope you enjoy the holidays. For Christmas I’ll enjoy the dinner, open my welfare pack that my family have sent me, and continue the poc fada tradition we do in Cloyne every Christmas here in UNP 2-45.”

Sergeant Devon Roche

“I am currently serving overseas with the 127 INF BN, Unifil, and Lebanon. I’m proudly from Grange, Fermoy, Co Cork. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my amazing wife Sarah, and my two boys, Jack and Ben, a very happy Christmas. On Christmas Day, I’ll be taking part in a 5km run, and afterwards I’ll continue with my duties as platoon sergeant, supporting the mission and our troops here in the AO [area of operation]. Wishing everyone at home a safe, peaceful, and happy Christmas. See you soon.”

Company Quartermaster Sgt Jim McEvoy

“I would like to wish my wife Mags and our three girls Zoe, Leah, Kari, and our handsome grandson Finn Looney a very happy Christmas, hugs and kisses to all. To my mam and extended family, friends, and work colleagues at home, wishing you a merry Christmas from Lebanon. Christmas Day for me will be spent alongside work colleagues, enjoying the festivities and thinking of the loved ones who passed at this time. See you all in 2026 and have a prosperous year.”

Cpl Evan Roche

“I’m serving with the UN peacekeeping mission here in the south of Lebanon. I’m from Cobh in Co Cork and I’d like to say hello to everyone at home, especially my mam and da, my sister, my two brothers, and my girlfriend Andrea. This Christmas, I’ll be doing the Christmas fun run with the battalion raising money for multiple charities before we get a nice aul dinner.”

Commandant Kevin Kenny

“I’m serving as the company commander in command of the battalion support group, and also as the camp commandant in charge of the day-to-day running of UNP 2-45 [Camp Shamrock].

“I am a proud Cork man and an even prouder Castlelyons man.

“I’m passing on my Christmas wishes to my fiancée Pippa, who will see the level of leftovers increase massively now that I’m away. To my mother Catherine, my father Paddy, my four brothers and all of my nephews and nieces that are waiting hard on Santa to come.

“As company commander, my role on Christmas Day will be to ensure my soldiers are safe, supported, and able to enjoy the day as much as possible despite being away from home. As camp commandant, I’ll also oversee the Christmas Day activities within the camp. This includes that everyone gets a chance to take part in the celebrations, while ensuring camp security, responsibilities continue uninterrupted throughout the day.

“We try to keep some of the traditions from home alive; a proper meal, some music, Mass for those who wish to celebrate it. While we’d all love to be celebrating at home, we’ll make the most of the day together.

“I’d like to wish everyone at home a happy Christmas, and to thank our families, friends, and communities for their continued support. It means a great deal to all of us serving overseas.”