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Minister With Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, Attends Distinguished Service Medal Award Ceremony in Haulbowline, Co Cork.
The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, today (Friday 2 February 2018) attended the Distinguished Service Medal Award Ceremony of Sub Lieutenant, now Lieutenant-Commander, Jamie Cotter for his part in Operation Sea Bight. The ceremony took place at the Naval Base, Haulbowline in County Cork.
Addressing the attendees, the Minister spoke of his delight to award the Distinguished Service Medal with distinction
“in recognition and celebration of their bravery and devotion to duty”.
Operation Sea Bight was the successful Maritime Interdiction Operation carried out by the Naval Service in November 2008, as part of a Joint Task Force with An Garda Siochána and Revenue. The operation culminated in the seizure of 1800kg of cocaine.
Minister Kehoe paid tribute to Lieutenant-Commander Jamie Cotter and acknowledged
“the outstanding work carried out by all involved in this operation, both on land and sea”. Special mention was given to Commander Eugene Ryan (retired) and to Lieutenant-Commander Martin Brett for their demonstration of “exceptional competence, resolve and dedication to the mission at hand”.
Letters of Commendation were presented to these officers by the Chief of Staff.