Memorial Stone unveiled in City Cemetery 'dedicated to all members of the Irish Defence Forces interred in all cemetries in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area'

In what its chairman, Jimmy McEvoy. described as a "historic ocassion" a Memorial Stone "dedicated to all members of the Irish Defence Forces interred in all cemetries in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area" has been offically unveiled in Derry City Cemetery.

The ceremony which took place on Sunday afternoon was organised by the Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post 19 Northwest. There were also representatives of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women; the Military Police Veterans Association; and the 28th Infantary Battalion Veterans Association persent at the ceremony.

The unveiling was performed by Derry men Eamon Thomas, representing the Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women, and Harry McGuinness, representing the Irish United Nations Veterans Association. 

Fr Colm O'Doherty PP Moville; Fr Ignacy Saniuta CC, St Mary's Church, Creggan; and Archdeacon Robert Miller, Christ Church then dedicated the Memorial Stone, after which a wreath was laid on behalf of all the Veteran Associations present by Derek Judge, National Chairperson of IUNVA and Mick Kinahan, president of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women. 

From left: Tony Ramsey, Derry (Military Police Veterans Association), Harry McGuinness, Derry (Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post 19 Northwest), Eamon Thomas, Derry (Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women); and Joe McCrossan, Ballybofey (Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women).

Speaking to The Derry News, Mr McEvoy said: "This is a very historic moment. This is the first Memorial Stone for our members of the Irish Defence Forces that are buried in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. There has never been before recognition of those men that served their country. 

"How it came about was, a couple of years ago, we were asked by Chris Coyle, whose father was buried in this cemetery, to come and lay a wreath. So we desiced at the time, we would find out how many people from the Irish Defence Forces are buried here and go and see if we could lay a wreath at all of their graves. But, when we entered the graveyard and we saw the vastmess of it, we knew it was probably an impossible task. So, we found five or six that we could definitely identify and we put a plan in motion that we would go and try and get a spot where we can just lay a wreath  for all members of the Defence Forces, who have basically been forgotten for years. 

"[The Memorial Stone] is something to reflect the nature and respect of these people that are buried here. 

"Today we are coming to the fruition of the plan we set out two years ago, we are going to unveil this beautiful stone in memory of all those people that served, not only served at home but also overseas and various missions, so it is now time to respect them," said Mr McEvoy.