ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Colonel Patrick (Paddy) Ghent, late of Terenure, Dublin and formerly of Cork. On September 1st, 2023, peacefully at Orwell Private Nursing Home. Beloved husband of Eve; he will be very sadly missed by his loving wife, brother Fr Billy Ghent and sister Sr. Bernie Ghent, sister-in-law Annette, relatives, Defence Forces colleagues, and a wide circle of friends.
May his gentle soul Rest in Peace
Paddy Ghent was born on 14th June 1934 in Blackrock, Cork City where his father was serving as a member of An Garda Síochána. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a Cadet on 5th January 1953 and was a member of 27 Cadet Class. Commissioned on 6th December 1954 into the Artillery Corps, Paddy initially served with the Ack Ack Regiment in Magee Barracks, Kildare. He was subsequently posted to 7 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA) and later to 2 Field Artillery Regiment, McKee Barracks, Dublin. During the 50th Anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966, Paddy was Troop Commander of the 25 Pounder Saluting Battery, which fired a 21 Gun Salute on Easter Sunday from the Cricket Grounds in Trinity College Dublin. Having qualified as a barrister in 1972 with a BCL and BL he transferred to the Legal Service and was Command Legal Officer, Headquarters Southern Command, Collins Barracks Cork and later Judge-Advocate, Defence Forces Headquarters. Appointed Deputy Judge Advocate General on 28th March 1984, and promoted to the rank of Colonel, Paddy served for fifteen years in this appointment before retiring in June 1999. His wise and considered advice was valued by all who sought it.
Overseas Paddy served with the Air Defence element of 36 Infantry Battalion ONUC, Congo, from December 1961 to May 1962. He was Troop Commander, Heavy Mortar Troop, 42 Infantry Battalion UNFICYP, Cyprus, from April to September 1965. He served as Legal Officer with 26 Infantry Group UNEF2, Sinai, from April to September 1974, and with 45 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL, Lebanon, from May to October 1979.
A keen sailing enthusiast he was a member of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and later Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club.
A celebration of Paddy’s life will take place on Tuesday, September 5th at 2:15pm in Mount Jerome Crematorium (Garden Chapel) which can be viewed on the following link, https://www.mountjerome.ie/garden-chapel-service/
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Paddy’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/patrick-ghent-cork-528443
