Family mark 30th anniversary of Carlow soldier's tragic passing
Donie Cunningham died 30 years ago this week following a tragic helicopter crash
THIS week marks the 30th anniversary of a helicopter crash in which a Carlow man who was serving as pilot in the US army lost his life.
Last Monday was the 30th anniversary of the tragic loss of local man Donal Cunningham, who was in a UH60 Blackhawk helicopter when it went down in the Mediterranean Sea.
Three decades ago, two helicopters were dispatched from Germany to resupply the US embassy in Beirut, when the first aircraft experienced engine failure, going down into the sea three miles south of Zyyi, Cyprus. Tragically, all the crew were lost and a major recovery mission was put in place immediately.
The other crew members were chief warrant officer Michael R Baker, Sgt Robert A Rogers and specialist Dale L Woods.
Donie was just 32 years’ old when he died, leaving behind his wife Teresa and three young children ‒ Conor, Ciaran and Fiona.
Donie was the son of Colm and Dolores and was originally from Athy Road, Carlow. He had enlisted in the American army in 1985 and, following training, was posted to an American army barracks in Germany. He and his comrades were on a mission to restock the American embassy in Beirut when the fatal crash occurred.
His remains were brought back to Ireland on Friday 25 August and he was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow on Sunday 27 August 1995 with full US Army military honours.
As a tribute to CW2 Cunningham’s service in the army, a glass case containing his uniform and other memorabilia was built in the headquarters of the local FCA unit on Green Road, Carlow. An opening night was held on 8 December 1995, which was attended by the Cunningham family. This initial collection went on to become part of County Carlow Military Museum.
Recently, the museum was contacted by Robby, the son of chief warrant officer Baker, who came from Germany to visit the museum for the first time. Poignantly, Robby and his family had a chance to meet Teresa and Fiona Cunningham, wife and daughter of the Carlow man who perished alongside Robby’s father in the helicopter crash.
Paul Maguire, chairman of the military museum, gave the two families an extended tour of the museum. Paul spoke of the tragic events of 30 years ago and said that the military museum was a fitting memorial to the crew who died on that fateful day 30 years ago.
