ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Desmond (Des) Johnston of Naas, County Kildare on 7th July 2026. Peacefully, at Naas General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Mary and loving dad of Paul and Des. Forever loved and sadly missed by his wife and sons, grandchildren Melissa, Gráinne, Seán and Jack, sister Annette, extended family, friends, Defence Forces comrades and neighbours.
May his gentle soul rest in peace
Des Johnston was born on 2nd December 1941. His father, also Des, served in the Air Corps and was among the first officers of the Defence Forces to deploy overseas in 1958 as an observer with UNOGIL in Lebanon. He also served as an Air Liaison Officer in the Congo with ONUC. The Johnston Trophy, named in his honour, is awarded for the best flying performance on the Air Corps Wings Course.
Des enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a member of 36 Cadet Class on 12th December 1961 and was commissioned into the Artillery Corps on 15th July 1963. After a period of service with the Air Corps, Des continued his posting with 4 Field Artillery Regiment in Mullingar, a unit he had a long and close relationship with throughout his career. He also served with 5 Field Artillery Regiment (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) in Galway, 1 Field Artillery Regiment in Ballincollig, with Depot Artillery in Kildare, 28 Infantry Battalion in Donegal, 9 Field Artillery Regiment (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) in Mullingar, Headquarters Western Command, and as Officer Commanding the Air Defence Regiment in Kildare. Des was an active and caring representative for the Western Command on the CAOGA Committee. His last appointment prior to his retirement was Officer in Charge, ‘A’ Administration Section of the Adjutant General’s Branch.
Overseas Des served in Cyprus with the Heavy Mortar Troop of 7 Infantry Group UNFICYP from October 1966 to March 1967. He returned to Cyprus as Adjutant 25 Infantry Group in October 1973. Four weeks into the tour, on the night of 31st October/1st November 1973, the unit was redeployed from the Royal Airforce Base at Akrotiri to the Sinai Peninsula with UNEF II following the Yom Kippur War.
Reposing at The George Mullins Funeral Home, Kilcullen Road, Naas, County Kildare (W91 CD0K) on Friday 10th July from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral Service on Saturday 11th July at 10am at the funeral home, followed by burial at Saint Corban’s Cemetery, Naas.
Family flowers only please. Donations, in lieu, to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland: https://alzheimer.ie/get-involved/become-a-friend-support-asi/donate/
Members may wish to leave personal messages with George Mullins Funerals at: George@georgemullinsfunerals.ie
