ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commander Martin Counihan, Rochestown, Cork and formerly of Monkstown, Dublin. On March 14th, 2023, peacefully, in the presence of his loving family in Marymount Hospice, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Dearly beloved husband and best friend of Pat (née Hourihan), much adored dad of Emma (Corcoran) and Gillian, cherished grandad of Orlaith and dear brother of Eleanor (Baynes), Anne (Fox), Maurice, Michael, Captain Ian (53 Cadet Class) and the late Jerome. Very sadly missed by his loving wife and family, son-in-law Eoghan, future son-in-law David, father-in-law Billy, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, Defence Forces colleagues and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
Martin Counihan was born in Monkstown, Dublin, the youngest child of Colonel Jerome and Patricia (Peggy) Counihan. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 22 Naval Service Cadet Class in 1979. Martin was commissioned in September 1981 having undergone training at Britannia Royal Naval College in the United Kingdom, where he then returned to compete the Sub-Lieutenants course as an Ensign. He filled a wide variety of appointments ashore and afloat, and in Operations Section, Defence Forces Headquarters. As a Lieutenant-Commander he took command of LÉ Emer in 2001.
Having been promoted to Commander in January 2010, he was Officer Commanding Naval College and Associate Head of the National Maritime College until 2012. He then took command of the Flagship LÉ Eithne until August 2014 when he was posted as Fleet Operations Officer. During this time Martin directed Operation UNITY, the interdiction of the yacht Makayabella off the Cork coast, seizing €350 million worth of cocaine. He also organised the preparations for deployment and dealt with the day-to-day ships’ operations during Irelands response to the Mediterranean migrant crisis, Operation PONTUS, starting in 2015 and the transition into EU Operation SOPHIA in 2017. These operations resulted in the saving of many thousands of lives.
Overseas Martin served with 28 IRCOMP UNIFIL in Lebanon in 1993 and with the 15 IRCOM EUFOR in Bosnia Herzegovina in 2012. Martin’s final appointment was as Officer Commanding Naval Service Logistics Unit before he retired in February 2019 to pursue a career in the Human Resource Management field.
Reposing on Wednesday (March 15th) from 6.00pm to 7.00pm at the Temple Hill Funeral Home, Boreenmanna Road, of Jerh O’Connor Limited. Requiem Mass at 3.00pm on Thursday (March 16th) in Saint Patrick’s Church, Rochestown, which can be viewed here: https://www.churchservices.tv/rochestown
Funeral afterwards to the Island Crematorium, Rocky Island, Ringaskiddy, County Cork. No flowers, please. Donations if desired to: https://www.marymount.ie/
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Martin’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/commander-martin-counihan-rochestown-cork/529291#!photo
