ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Tim O’Donoghue of Ashburton, Model Village, Tower, Cork and formerly Kenmare, County Kerry. On October 29th, 2025, Tim unexpectedly, passed away at home. Beloved son of the late Ted and Mona O’Donoghue and son-in-law to Ted and the late Nuala Kent. Loving husband of Veronica (née Kent), much loved father of Paul, Andy and Timmy, father-in-law of Alwyn, adored Grandad of Alice and Seán, brother of Jerry, Denis, Mary and the late Michael, brother-in-law of Gillian, Sue, Shelia, Martin, Sandra and Edward, uncle of Lianne and the late Pamela. Will be deeply missed by his loving wife and family, relatives, extended family, neighbours, friends and former colleagues in the Defence Forces.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Timothy John (Tim) O’Donoghue was born on 2nd January 1960 in Kenmare, County Kerry. Having completed his Leaving Certificate, Tim trained as a teacher. Duty called him to a different path however and on 23rd November 1981 Tim enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a member of 58 Cadet Class. Commissioned into the Infantry Corps on 28th March 1983 he was posted to A Company, 29 Infantry Battalion in Monaghan. Tim transferred to the Military Police Corps in May 1987 and was posted to 3 Garrison Military Police Company in Collins Barracks, Cork. Appointments in 1 Brigade Training Centre and with 23 Infantry Battalion, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, followed. When the Personnel Support Service was being established in the Defence Forces, Tim was appointed as one of its first PSS Officers. Here his integrity, along with a calm and compassionate approach, ensured the Service quickly gained credibility in the South. He then served with 4 Infantry Battalion and, having completed his Command and Staff Course, was appointed as an instructor in that School. Following service with No 1 Security Company, Tim returned to his role with Personnel Support Service from where he retired on 20th January 2016.
Tim had extensive overseas service and served on four deployments with UNIFIL in Lebanon: with Recce Company, 60 Infantry Battalion 1986-1987; Headquarters Company, 69 Infantry Battalion 1991; Military Police Company, 29 Irish Component 1993-1994; and Company Commander, Mechanised Security Company, 34 Infantry Group 2006-2007. In 2002-2003 he served with 3 Irish Guard and Administration Component UNMEE, and in 2013 with the Brigade M&A Team, KFOR.
Tim will be remembered for his dedication to the Defence Forces and, especially, to his family.
Reposing at the Wilton Funeral Home, Sarsfield Road of Jerh. O’Connor Limited; On Sunday (November 2nd) from 4.00pm to 5.00pm. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday (November 3rd) in Saint Senan’s Church, Cloghroe which can be viewed at: https://www.churchservices.tv/stsenans
Funeral afterwards to Saint Oliver’s Cemetery, Model Farm Road. Family flowers only, please. Donations if desired to Marymount Hospice: https://marymount.ie/donate/#ways
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Tim’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/comdt-retd-tim-odonoghue-kerry-kenmare-609780
