ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Brigadier-General John (Johnny) Martin, Kilcullen, County Kildare. On March 24th, 2026, peacefully at Naas General Hospital. Beloved husband of Monica and dear father of Patrick, Lieutenant-Colonel John (62 Cadet Class), Therese and Enda. Sadly missed by his loving wife, sons, daughter, sisters Towser and Patsy, son-in-law Harm, daughters-in-law Paula, Liz, and Carrie, brother-in-law George, grandchildren Oliver, Lars, Rolf, Róisín, Rory, Olan, Jack, Ciara, Áine, Evan and Emer, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, Defence Forces comrades and friends.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a Anam Dílis
John (Johnny) Martin was born on 28th February 1942 in Cork and enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 35 Cadet Class on 31st January 1961. Commissioned into the Infantry Corps on 23rd July 1962 he was posted as a Platoon Commander with 6 Infantry Battalion in Athlone, a unit he would go on to have a long and close association with. He also served as a Training Officer with 17 Infantry Battalion (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil). Having completed the Infantry Officers Advanced Airbourne Course and the Airbourne Ranger Course at Fort Benning, USA in 1968-1969, he was an instructor in the Infantry School, the Command and Staff School and the Cadet School, where he was later Cadet Master in 1990-1993. Johnny was Officer-in-Charge of the Defence Forces Audio-Visual Staff and was Director Military Information Technology Section. His final appointment was as General Officer Commanding Western Command.
Overseas Johnny completed two tours of duty with UNFICYP in Cyprus with A Company, 3 Infantry Group in 1964 and with A Company, 22 Infantry Group, in 1972. In Lebanon with UNIFIL he was 2 I/C 45 Infantry Battalion in 1979 and in 1993 commanded 73 Infantry Battalion. In 1988-1989 he served with the United Nations Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan (UNGOMAP).
Johnny had a keen interest in the Arts and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1984. He was an active supporter of the Camphill Communities of Ireland that provide support to adults and children with special needs. In retirement he agreed to teach Speech and Drama Classes in Saint Laurence’s National School, Crookstown. Not many schoolchildren can claim to have been taught by a distinguished general.
Reposing on Thursday from 5pm to 7pm at Murphy Brothers Funeral Home, Church Lane, Naas W91 VY71. Removal on Friday to the Church of the Sacred Heart and Saint Brigid, Kilcullen arriving for 11am Mass. Funeral immediately afterwards to Saint Brigid’s Cemetery. House private please. The Funeral Mass can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://mcn.live/Camera/church-of-the-sacred-heart-and-st-brigid-kilcullen
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Johnny’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/john-martin-kildare-kilcullen-625581
