Sergeant Patrick Cullen – An Appreciation

Tributes have been paid following the sad passing of Sergeant Patrick Cullen, Aghawerriny, Curraghroe on Sunday November 16 at Galway University Hospital, following a period of illness, bravely borne. Born 59 years ago to Ruth and Paddy Cullen in Sydney, Australia, it was clear from a young age that Patrick showed great leadership qualities. Indeed it has been said that Pat was a soldier long before he ever put on a uniform. By the early 1970s, the family were moving homewards to Ireland, and following periods in both Warwickshire and Dublin, Pat went to the Vocational School in Lanesboro, completing his second level education in 1984. In the intervening years, Pat’s time in the Reserve Defence Forces gave him a taste for army life, and it was no surprise when he expressed a strong interest in joining the Defence Forces.

Following the Leaving Certificate, Pat went to England to pursue employment, but he was delighted to get the opportunity to enter military life in Ireland, and started recruit training with the Defence Forces in Columb Barracks, Mullingar. Moving on, Pat was happy to take up post in Connolly Barracks in Longford, where he started his long army career by honing his administrative skills in the Orderly Room.

During that period, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Pat completed a number of tours of duty as a UNIFIL Peacekeeper in the Lebanon, based at Camp Shamrock in Southern Lebanon. He seized the opportunity to travel extensively, visiting the Holy Land, Israel, Egypt, and Cyprus, among others, always keen to meet new people, make new friends and experience other cultures and traditions. Following service in Connolly Barracks, Pat served as Acting Quartermaster in the Reserve Defence Forces in D Coy, Roscommon for an extended period.

During a career with the Defence Forces which spanned more than 40 years, Pat rose to the rank of Sergeant with the A Coy, 6th Battalion, Custume Barracks Athlone.

Pat was a man with an inquisitive nature and an enquiring mind, who loved to travel and learn the history of the places he visited. History and politics were firm favourites of his and he loved to read, particularly about the Roman Empire. As a child of the 1960s, music was naturally in his blood and as a country lad, he had a great love of animals and country life. Pat was a religious and spiritual man, and on the occasion of his marriage to Josephine, they enjoyed the honour of meeting Pope John Paul II in the Vatican.

The passing of Pat leaves heavy hearts but with treasured memories that those who knew him will always cherish. His remains reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home, Roscommon on Tuesday November 18. On Wednesday, his remains were removed from his home to St. Mary’s Church, Ballagh for Mass of the Resurrection, with burial taking place afterwards in Kilgefin Cemetery. Sergeant Patrick Cullen was buried with full military honours with the GOC 2 Brigade and the Director of Reserve in attendance.

Mass of the Resurrection was concelebrated by Bishop Paul Connell, Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Fr Daniel Udofia, PP, St Mary’s Church, Ballagh, Fr Michael McGrath CC St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford and Fr Declan Shannon, Chaplain, Custume Barracks, Athlone, with the beautiful music in the church performed by Derek Mahady, accompanied on flute by Cpl Jack Brennan, Band 2 Brigade, Custume Barracks, Athlone.

The Cullen family acknowledge the compassion and care shown to Patrick during his illness and conveyed their appreciation to everyone for their kindness and support at this difficult time.

To his wife Josephine, sons Paul, Patrick and John, his daughter Maria, his mother Ruth, his brother Craig, his sister Siobhán, his granddaughter Esme, his extended family, many friends and his Defence Forces colleagues, we extend our sincere sympathy.

Month’s Mind Mass for Patrick will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Ballagh on Saturday December 20 at 7.30pm. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.