United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last night announced the appointment of an Irishman to a key post within the organisation.
Major General Michael Finn (60) was named the Head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO).
Mr Finn succeeds Major General Juha Kilpia of Finland, who will complete his assignment on June 30th. The Secretary-General said he was “grateful” to Mr Kilpia for his “dedication and effective leadership” of UNTSO over the past two years.
“Major General Finn brings to his new position extensive command and peacekeeping experience attained through service at the national and international levels,” said Mr Ban.
Prior to his appointment, Mr Finn was the General Officer commanding the Second Infantry – a position he held since 2010. In 2003 and 2004, Mr Finn commanded the first Irish infantry force in the Nato-led KFOR mission in Kosovo.
He also served as the Director of Logistics in the European Union Military Staff within the EU General Council Secretariat in Brussels from 2007-2010.
Mr Finn graduated from NUI Galway and is married with three children. He also graduated with distinction from the Irish Command and Staff School and attended a number of international military courses.
