On November 8, 1960, an Irish peacekeeping force serving with the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) was ambushed in the vicinity of Niemba. This incident resulted in the deaths of nine Irish soldiers, marking the first overseas combat fatalities for the Irish Republic's military. The patrol, led by Lieutenant Kevin Gleeson, was investigating a bridge when they were attacked by Baluba tribesmen. The Niemba ambush was a profound and tragic event for the nascent Irish Army, highlighting the dangers faced by its personnel on international peacekeeping missions.
