Pat Quinlan (December 30, 1919 - August 27, 1997) was an Irish Army officer who commanded the Irish UN forces during the Siege of Jadotville, during the Congo Crisis. It was the first time that the Irish army participated in an international conflict.
In 1961, Quinlan led the "A" Company, 35th Battalion, which was sent to protect the city of Jadotville (present-day Likasi) from Katangese forces. For six days, Jadotville was besieged by Katangese forces, which prevented access to supplies. Despite this, Quinlan together with his men heroically resisted the Katangese ambushes, using the few resources they had left and achieving a great military strategy in which they could inflict great damage on the Katangeses.
Finally, after six days, Quinlan had to surrender due to lack of supplies, and was made a prisoner of war, and would be locked up for a month until he was released and returned to Ireland.
For a long time, the Irish state did not recognize the efforts of Quinlan and his men for their involvement in Jadotville, and Quinlan would die in 1997 without receiving an award or medal. After his death, and after a long campaign led by war veterans, the Irish government would recognize the accomplishments of Quinlan and "A" Company, and in 2017 a commemorative plaque would be placed in County Kerry.
Fictionalized[]
Quinlan is played by Jamie Dornan in the film The Siege of Jadotville.