A Commemoration Ceremony will be held in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa on Saturday 15th August 2026 to remember Lieutenant Aonghus Murphy, 56 Cadet Class, who was killed on service with 59 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL forty years ago. The commemoration will begin with Mass at 1100 hrs and will be followed by a ceremony in the Memorial […]
Author Archives: William Campbell
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, […]
Congratulations to the nine members of 64 Naval Service Cadet Class who were commissioned on 24th June 2026. Our Vice President, Captain (NS) David Barry, represented ARCO at the ceremony and presented the ARCO award for best cadet to Sub Lieutenant Aiden Weber-Hobbs, and was photographed with the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Rossa Mulcahy, the […]
On Wednesday, 24th June 2026, the Marching Out Ceremony took place for Saint Bricin’s Military Hospital. ARCO was represented by its President, Major-General Maureen O’Brien DSM. DCOS (Sp), Major-General Colm Ó Luasa was the senior serving officer attending. It was a sad occasion for many of those attending as they had served there for decades. […]
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Major-General Seán F. Brennan, Ballyfair Lodge, Ballyfair, The Curragh, peacefully at The Curragh Lawns Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family on 29th June 2026. Sadly missed by his loving wife Lynne, his children, Seán Óg, Caoimhe, Killian and Beibhinn, son-in-law Tommy, daughter-in-law Niamh, grandchildren […]
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Peter Conran of Naas, County Kildare and formerly Corbally, Limerick who passed peacefully at home on 24th June 2026 surrounded by his loving family after a short illness, courageously fought. Peter will be forever loved and greatly missed by his heartbroken wife Janet, adoring […]
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Hugh O’ Neill, Kill-Saint-Anne, Castlelyons, and formerly of Cobh, County Cork. Hugh passed away peacefully on Sunday 21st June 2026, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Pre-deceased by his daughter Niamh (Marshall). Beloved husband of Nuala (nee Lynskey), much loved father of Shane, […]
Strategic Narratives in Ireland’s Defence Forces ARCO has been asked by Dr John Hogan, from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, to circulate its members with a request to participate in a research study titled ‘Strategic Narratives in Ireland’s Defence Forces’ which he is leading. The project investigates […]
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Father Gerard (Gerry) Dowd S.D.B., The Bungalow, Yellow Road, Aughamuckey, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny on 11th June 2026, surrounded by his family, in the wonderful care of the Staff at Castlecomer District Hospital. Pre-deceased by his father Bill, brother Liam, nephew Lorcan, aunts and uncles. Gerard […]
June Pension Increase Pensions Section intends to include the benefit of the 1st of June 2026 increase in pensions, under the Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026, for the vast majority of military pensioners in the June payroll. This is a general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% and […]






