On 13th November 2025 ARCO received the following communication from the Office of Veteran Affairs, Support Services & Veteran Affairs Branch of the Department of Defence: As you are no doubt aware, the Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry has recently made Disclosure Orders against the Minister for Defence and the Chief of Staff. I thought […]
Category Archives: News
11
Nov
Nov
Further to our posting of 5th November on the Establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs, the President of ARCO has received this letter from Mr Simon Harris TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. ARCO has played an active part in bringing the process to this point. An agreed Veterans Policy now needs to be […]
05
Nov
Nov
On Tuesday, 4th November 2025, the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD, announced that the Government had approved the establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs. The Office is a recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces and a commitment in the current Programme for Government. It will be based within […]
29
Oct
Oct
ONE has launched a Buy A Veteran A Coffee campaign to coincide with its Fuchsia Appeal 2025 in support of Homeless Veterans. The Organisation recently announced details of Phase 2 of its Veteran Home Expansion Plan (See our posting: https://arcoireland.com/phase-2-of-ones-home-expansion-plan/) ARCO members can help with the funding of this vital project in a meaningful way […]
19
Sep
Sep
The President of the Association of Retired Commissioned officers, Major-General Maureen O’Brien (Retd), has received a communication from the Solicitor to the Defence Forces Tribunal dated today, 19th September 2025, in relation to a Notice of Intended Orders for Disclosure. The communication states that the Tribunal intends to make Orders for Disclosure, requiring the Chief […]
12
Jul
Jul
The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann), known as ONE, has announced the commencement of Phase 2 of its Veteran Home Expansion Plan with the addition of eighteen single en-suite bedrooms across three new homes in Cork, Limerick and Newbridge. This represents the largest ever investment in housing for homeless veterans with […]
08
Mar
Mar
This morning, Saturday 8th March 2025, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris TD presented the sisters of Private Billy Kedian from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, with his posthumous Distinguished Service Medal – With Honour, at a very moving and emotional ceremony in Dún Uí Mhaolíosa. ARCO was represented by our President, Major-General Maureen O’Brien DSM […]
04
Mar
Mar
It has been announced that Brigadier-General Rossa Mulcahy, currently Assistant Chief of Staff, is to be the new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Óglaigh na hÉireann. His appointment comes at a critical time for the Defence Forces and for this country. The Executive Committee of the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers sends congratulations to […]
03
Mar
Mar
Here is a request that will interest our members, and on which many will hold strong views. Commandant Amy Colclough, who hails from a well-known military family, is completing her MA in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies at Maynooth University as part of her Joint Command and Staff Course. Her thesis subject is “Has the […]
07
Feb
Feb
Many members of ARCO will have close associations with Óglaigh Náisiúnta Na hÉireann and with the Gaelic Athletic Association. All members will be delighted to hear that ONE has been selected by the GAA as an official charity partner for 2025 in a landmark initiative to raise vital funds and awareness for veteran homelessness and […]