The death has taken place of former Defence Forces chief of staff and GAA all-star Dermot Earley. He was 62 and had been ill for a number of months.
Lieut Gen Earley was educated at St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, and joined the Army in 1965. He was one of the first officers to join the Army Ranger Wing, when it was in its infancy.
He served with the UN in the Middle East from 1975-1977 and was adjutant of the 52nd Infantry Battalion with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in 1982 and 1983. 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.
Lieut Gen Earley lived in Newbridge, Co Kildare, with his wife Mary. They have six children, one of whom, Dermot Earley jnr, is also a well-known footballer and All Star. He plays for Kildare and is also an Army officer.
He played Gaelic football for Roscommon for 20 years from 1965 to 1985. He was regarded as one of the greatest players never to win an All-Ireland medal. He later managed the Roscommon and Kildare senior football teams.
President Mary McAleese led the tributes to the former chief of staff this afternoon.
Mrs McAleese said she'd had the honour of knowing and working with Lt Gen Earley for many years.
"He was an outstanding member of the Defence Forces, whose appointment as chief of staff rewarded a military career characterised by exceptional professionalism and dedication to service," she said.
"Dermot’s premature retirement as chief of staff represented a huge loss to the Defence Forces and the State which he served with great distinction. 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, She added."
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said Lt Gen Earley was one of the country’s most distinguished public servants.
"Dermot was a great role model for everyone in our Defence Forces and he was an innovative and extremely competent chief of staff who carried out his duties with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of efficiency," he said.
Mr Cowen said it was no exaggeration to say that Mr Earley "was a champion of peace."
"Dermot Earley bravely and selflessly gave of himself to build peace across the globe. His courageous work with the UN was rooted in a desire to bring peace to people in the parts of the world who had only previously known conflict.
Minister for Defence Tony Killeen said he was shocked and saddened by today's news.
"Since taking over as Minister for Defence, I have encountered time and again evidence of Dermot’s outstanding leadership and ability. Because of his unique blend of leadership and personal warmth he was held in the highest esteem by all who served in the Defence Forces. To the wider community he will, of course, always be remembered as an outstanding sportsman having achieved success with his native county," he said.
Former Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea offered his sincere condolences to Mr Earley's wife Mary and their six children.
Mr O'Dea said one of his greatest honours as Minister for Defence was to be able to nominate Mr Earley for the position of chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
"He was a truly inspiring soldier and leader. His approachability and respect for every member of the Defence Forces regardless of rank, ensures his tenure as chief of staff of the Defence Forces, was one of greatness," he said.
"Lieut Gen Dermot Earley brought great honour and pride on the Defence Forces and on this nation as a whole. He will be deeply missed," he added.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny extended his condolences to the family of Mr Earley, who he described as "one of the most iconic chief of staff of the Defence Forces since Michael Collins".
"Dermot was an outstanding role model in his enthusiastic and committed approach to all aspects of his life. In his service to his country he was exemplary, in his pursuit of sporting excellence he stood above all but the greatest footballers of our time," he said.
Lieut Gen Sean McCann, who took over the post of chief of staff from Lieut Gen Earley on June 13th, said he was deeply saddened to hear of his former colleague’s death.
"He was a man of exceptional personal qualities, who made an enormous contribution to the Defence Forces throughout his 44 years of distinguished service," he said.
"He was a hugely talented officer, whose personal charm and charisma, together with his extraordinary leadership skills, won him universal respect and admiration throughout the organisation and the entire country."
Lieut Gen McCann also praised the former chief for helping to modernise the Defence Forces and enhancing its reputation at home and overseas.
"An iconic figure, General Earley represented the Defence Forces, both nationally and internationally, in a manner that instilled pride and confidence in those he commanded," he said.
