Head of Defence Forces on sick leave

DEFENCE FORCES Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Dermot Earley is on sick leave and his duties are being carried out by the Deputy Chief of Staff, a statement from the Defence Forces has confirmed.

Lieut Gen Earley has been ill since the end of last year and has officially been on sick leave since January. It is unclear when or if he will return to his duties. The nature of his illness was not disclosed in the statement.

The Defence Forces said that in Lieut Gen Earley’s absence, his duties were being carried out by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen Dave Ashe. The Defence Forces extended its best wishes to Lieut Gen Earley and his family.

In his position as chief of staff, Lieut Gen Earley is the head of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps.

His appointment to the post was announced by the Government in April 2007. He assumed the post in June of that year on the retirement of former chief of staff Jim Sreenan. Lieut Gen Earley (62) is a former Roscommon GAA footballer who won two All Stars. He played for Roscommon for a 20-year period, from 1965 to 1985.

He is due to retire from his chief of staff post on age grounds next year.

He 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 lives 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.