A monthly medical clinic, conducted by Dr Cathal Berry TD, has been established in Brú na bhFiann, the largest Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) Hostel for Homeless Veterans. Cathal is a member of ARCO and a veteran of the Defence Forces having served in the Army Ranger Wing before qualifying as a medical doctor […]
Author Archives: William Campbell
09
Dec
Dec
The theme of the Defence Forces Review 2020 is: The global island: Strategic implications for Irish defence planning in the evolving geopolitical landscape. Edited by Lieutenant-Commander Paul Hegarty and Doctor Caitriona Dowd, this year’s edition is published in academic collaboration with the Dublin City University School of Law and Government. The 2020 Review reflects on […]
30
Nov
Nov
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Senan McGrath of Crofton Street and Burton Street, Kilrush, County Clare. Senan died on Sunday 29th November 2020 in his native Kilrush. He is deeply regretted by his mother Maura, brothers Michael and Gerard, sister Mary (Healy), sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, Defence […]
29
Nov
Nov
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Brigadier-General Ambrose (Amby) Brophy of Kilcullen, County Kildare & formerly of Tinryland, County Carlow. On 29th November 2020, peacefully, in the gentle care of the Curragh Lawns Nursing Home. Loving husband of the late Brigid (Bea). Deeply regretted by his brothers Cormac and Anto, sisters-in-law, […]
25
Nov
Nov
ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Brigadier-General Maurice Downing of Terenure, Dublin and formerly of Glengarriff, County Cork on 22nd November 2020, peacefully, at the Mater Private Hospital. Beloved husband of the late Maeve. He will be sadly missed by his children Margaret, Maeve, John, Maurice, Paul and Finbarr, grandchildren John, […]
24
Nov
Nov
The current Programme for Government prescribes for a successor agreement to the Public Sector Stability Agreement, which terminates on 31 December 2020. ARCO notes that preliminary exploratory talks on a new public sector pay agreement have commenced. It would seem these talks are seeking to establish whether a sufficient basis exists for negotiations on a […]
10
Nov
Nov
As advised in an earlier website posting, ARCO presented its recommendations to the Minister for Defence on the Composition and Terms of Reference for the Government’s Commission on the Defence Forces. Link to Submission dated 16 September 2020. As requested by the Minister in his letter dated 20 October, ARCO has also submitted its recommendations […]
08
Nov
Nov
On 8 November 1960, an eleven-man patrol from Number 2 Platoon, A Company, 33 Infantry Battalion, ONUC, departed their base at Niemba, under the command of Lieutenant Kevin Gleeson. Having dismounted at a crossing point on the Luweyeye River, twenty kilometres from Niemba, the patrol was attacked without warning by a large number of Baluba […]
30
Oct
Oct
McKee Officers’ Club has produced a remarkable film celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the deployment of the first Defence Forces unit on UN Peacekeeping Operations with ONUC in the Congo. “Ireland in the Service of the Future”, featuring the 32 Inf Bn and 33 Inf Bn, was edited and produced by Gerry McColgan, supported by […]
12
Oct
Oct
Annual General Meeting The Association’s 26th AGM took place in virtual format, by means of electronic communications technology (Zoom), on 02 October 2020. For an overview of the AGM, please download here. Officers’ Reports Reports were presented by the President: Brig Gen Paul Pakenham (Retd), the Secretary: Lt Col Joe Ahern (Retd), the Treasurer: Lt […]