ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Colonel Seán Hurley, Cuan Scí, Rath, Caherdaniel, County Kerry and The Orchards, Montenotte, Cork City on September 16th, 2023, peacefully at the Mater Hospital Cork, surrounded by his family. Dearly beloved husband and best friend of Brenda (nèe Bracken). Loving father of John, Catherine, Miriam, Liam, and Paul. Adored grandfather of Avril, Eoghan, Katie, Seán Óg (deceased), Ronan, Cormac, Eva, JK, Síobhra, Ella, Arann, Orna, Niamh, and Órla. Father-in-law to Therese, Bernadette, Seán, Pat, and Sinéad. Cherished brother to Leonard, Mary, and Kackie. Fondly remembered by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, Defence Forces comrades, and a wide circle of friends both at home and abroad.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
John Anthony (Seán) Hurley was born on 5th July 1937. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 31 Cadet Class on 3rd December 1956. He was commissioned on 1st December 1958 into the Infantry Corps, and posted to 4 Infantry Battalion in Collins Barracks, Cork. Among his many postings, Seán served with the Western Command FCA in Donegal, as Operations Officer in the Southern Command, and commanded 6 Infantry Brigade in the Curragh Command.
Seán completed many overseas tours of duty with the United Nations. He served with UNFICYP in Cyprus as a Lieutenant with A Company, 42 Infantry Battalion from April to September 1965. As a Commandant he commanded B Company, 46 Infantry Battalion in Lebanon from October 1979 to May 1980 under Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Kissane and returned to Lebanon in 1985 as Second-in-Command UNIFIL Military Police Company at the Force Headquarters in Naqoura. He served in the Western Sahara as a military observer and Senior Irish Officer with MINURSO from September 1991 to May 1992. Seán also completed a tour of duty with UNTSO. He retired on completion of a tour of duty as Military Assistant to the Force Commander and Senior Irish Officer UNIFIL in 1997.
An accomplished golfer as well as an active sportsman throughout his life, his interests included Gaelic football, rugby, sea fishing, and gardening.
Reposing at Cuan Scí, Rath, Caherdaniel on Monday 18th September from 5pm to 7pm. Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday 19th September at 1pm in the Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church, Cahersiveen, County Kerry which may be viewed through the following link: https://www.churchservices.tv/cahersiveen
Burial in Keelavarnogue Cemetery, Cahersiveen.
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Seán’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/col-sean-hurley-kerry-caherdaniel-529977
