The Government has announced the appointment of Maj Gen Dermot Earley as the new chief of staff of the Defence Forces.
Maj Gen Earley (59), a former Roscommon footballer who won two GAA All Stars, will take over from Lieut Gen Jim Sreenan who retires in June. The appointment was approved at yesterday's Cabinet meeting following a recommendation from Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea.
The Cabinet has also approved the promotion of Brig Gen Pat O'Sullivan (59) to major general to succeed Maj Gen Earley.
Mr O'Dea paid tribute to Lieut Gen Sreenan, saying he would be remembered as a moderniser who held Ireland's top military position at a time of great change.
"His leadership was vital in seeing through positive changes and they stand in testament to his loyalty and dedication to the Defence Forces," he said. "He can look back on a career of service and commitment, both at home and abroad . . . It was a pleasure working with Jim and I thank him for his remarkable service to the State."
He said Maj Gen Earley would also offer the Defence Forces strong leadership. "He is very highly regarded across all ranks, with a reputation for being both accessible and approachable."
Mr O'Dea described Maj Gen Earley's record as "impressive" singling out the four-year period to 1991 when he served as the deputy military adviser to the UN Secretary General.
Brig Gen O'Sullivan will take overall responsibility for all financial, logistical and human resource matters within the Defence Forces. From Cork, he served as battalion commander in Lebanon in 1996. His overseas service also includes periods in Kuwait and East Timor.
Sources say he is regarded as an "extremely bright" officer who has "transformed" the Curragh Camp in recent years pushing himself to the fore for promotion in a group of eight brigadier generals.
The nature of Ireland's participation in overseas peacekeeping missions is set to be radically transformed next year when Irish personnel take part in the new EU battle groups. Maj Gen Earley comes to the job after a period of substantial expenditure in the Defence Forces following investment in equipment of money from the sale of Defence Forces property and land.
However, much of the saleable property has now been divested.
The Defence Forces are now fully committed to the EU battle groups and are also likely to take on another UN mission after its withdrawal from Liberia in the summer.
In view of this, one of Maj Gen Earley's main challenges will be to convince the next Government to provide funding on a par with that achieved through the land and property sales.
Earley days: an Army career
Maj Gen Dermot Earley may be better known to sports fans for his skills on the football field. He played Gaelic football for Roscommon from 1965-1985 and holds numerous awards and medals.
He was educated at St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, and joined the Army 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. 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 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.
Maj Gen Earley lives in Newbridge, Co Kildare, with his wife Mary. They have six children. ... - Fiona Gartland