PRESIDENT MARY McAleese has led tributes to former chief of staff of the Defence Forces Dermot Earley, who has died after being ill for some time. He was 62.
Regarded as a legendary footballer, he won two All Stars playing for Roscommon during a senior career that lasted 20 years.
Mrs McAleese said she felt honoured to have known and worked with Mr Earley. His promotion to chief of staff had been a fitting reward for an outstanding military career.
“A fine ambassador for both the Defence Forces and for his country, his service to international peacekeeping in the Middle East, in Lebanon and with the United Nations greatly enhanced Ireland’s reputation around the world.” His retirement from the Defence Forces, on health grounds, earlier this month had been a “huge loss”.
“Dermot’s death is an even more poignant loss for his wife Mary and his family, and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time,” Mrs McAleese said.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he was saddened to hear of Mr Earley’s death, describing him as one of the most distinguished public servants in the country. “Through his commitment, his intelligence, his leadership and his charisma he brought great distinction to himself, his family and Ireland.”
Mr Cowen said Mr Earley had been a “champion of peace” while serving on overseas missions. The same “courage and character” had made him “one of the finest footballers of his generation”.
The new Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen Seán McCann, described Mr Earley as “an iconic figure”.
“[He] represented the Defence Forces, both nationally and internationally, in a manner that instilled pride and confidence in those he commanded.”
Born in 1948, Mr Earley was educated at St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, and joined the Army as a cadet in 1965. He was instructor at the Army School of Physical Culture (ASPC) in 1969. Following a period as assistant command adjutant in the Curragh, he was appointed ASPC commandant.
He completed the first ever Ranger course, which later led to the establishment of the Army Ranger Wing.
From 1983 to 1987, he was desk officer for overseas and current operations in the chief of staff’s branch at Defence Forces HQ.
He served with the UN in the Middle East from 1975 to 1977 and was adjutant of the 52nd Infantry Battalion with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in 1982 and 1983.
From 1987 to 1991, he served as the deputy military adviser to the secretary general of the UN at UN headquarters in New York.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1995 and commanded the 27th Infantry Battalion on the Border. In 2001, he became a colonel and in December 2003 a brigadier general. In February 2004, he was promoted to major general. He was appointed chief of staff in April 2007 and in that role led the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps. He became ill towards the end of last year and had been on sick leave in recent months.
He retired less than two weeks ago, on June 13th, due to ill-health. He was awarded a distinguished service medal in April.
He was regarded as one of the best footballers never to have won an All Ireland. He played for Roscommon from 1965 to 1985.
He won five Connacht senior medals, two All Stars and one National League medal. He won an under-21 All Ireland in 1966 and was part of the team beaten in the senior final in 1980.
He later managed both the Roscommon and Kildare footballers.
He is survived by his mother Kitty, his wife Mary and six children: David, Dermot, Conor, Paula, Ann-Marie and Noelle. The family live in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
Dermot Earley jnr is an Army officer and plays football for Kildare. Like his father, he has won two All Stars. Mr Earley’s daughter Noelle has also won an All Star in women’s football, playing for Kildare.
Minister for Defence Tony Killeen praised Mr Earley’s “outstanding leadership”. “He was held in the highest esteem by all who served in the Defence Forces,” he said.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said: “Dermot was a professional to his fingertips and a true friend who will be greatly missed.”
Labour spokesman on defence Brian O’Shea said Mr Earley was “a colossus on every field”.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described Mr Earley as “one of the most iconic chiefs of staff since Michael Collins”. Party spokesman on sport and Mayo football manager John O’Mahony said his abiding memory was when Earley was carried off the pitch shoulder-high by the Mayo players the day he retired in 1985.
Mr Earley, who died yesterday in hospital in the Curragh, will be given a military funeral. Arrangements are expected to be confirmed today.
