A true great and gentleman passes away

[rossie mad]

Dermot Earley dies aged 62
Wednesday, 23 June 2010 12:46
The former Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, has died.

A winner of two GAA All-Stars, he was 62 and had been ill for several months.

He retired early from the Defence Forces earlier this month, although he was not due to stand down until next spring.

AdvertisementAs a young officer, he qualified as a physical education instructor and was one of the first members of the elite army rangers.

He served on many overseas postings, including four years in New York as a senior military advisor at UN Headquarters. He was Chief of Staff for the past three years.

Dermot Earley played Gaelic football with his native Roscommon for 20 years from 1965 to 1985. He was said to be one of the greatest players never to win an All-Ireland medal.

He later went onto manage Roscommon, as well as Kildare where he lived in recent decades.

His son Dermot, who plays with Kildare, has also won two All-Stars and his daughter Noelle is also an All Star.

General Earley is survived by his wife Mary and their six adult children.

In April, he was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal by the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen.

He was succeeded as Chief of Staff on the 14 June by Lieutenant General Sean McCann.


An absolute gentlemen and a great footballer.

May he rest in peace.