This article is from page 35 of the 2008-04-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
THE fourth member of an east Clare family joined the Irish army on Thursday, the same week as his older brother arrived home from a tour of duty in Kosovo.
The Boyce family from Meelick have a proud history of serving with the Irish Army, as father Company Sergeant Tommy Boyce and his three sons have all served their country.
The youngest son Alan, now Private Alan Boyce, graduated in Clonmel with 34 more recruits from Munster.
The 121st Recruit Platoon was at- tested on November 19, 2007, in Col- lins Barracks, Cork.
Training commenced immediately and was completed on April 3.
As well as Private Boyce, Private John Corry from Clarecastle also
joined the army in November and passed out on Thursday.
While it was an especially proud day for the young man from Meel- ick, it was tinged with an element of saddness. His older brother Tommy lost his life in a car accident on his way to work in Clonmel in 2000.
The officers in Clonmel have since dedicated an award for new recruits to the memory of the late private.
This year Alan was part of the group to win the award, a fitting trib- ute to his late brother.
Meanwhile Alan’s brother Private Jason Boyce and his father served with the 37th Infantry of the Defence Forces in Kosovo for the past six peepee stse
The young private arrived home on Tuesday from his tour of duty with 90 more soldiers, just two days be-
fore his brother passed out.
His father is due back from Kosovo this Thursday with the remaining 150 personnel of the 37th infantry eroup.
Private John Joe Rouine from En- nistymon was the second member of the Defence Forces from Clare to arrive safely back to Shannon last Veto