ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant John Byrne, a member of 40 Cadet Class. John passed away peacefully at the Beacon Hospital Dublin on Tuesday 16th August 2022 following a short illness. His funeral Mass was held at Arklow Parish Church on Friday 19th August 2022 followed by cremation at Mount Jerome cemetery Dublin.
May he Rest in Peace
John Byrne was born on 10th October 1946 and enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 40 Cadet Class (1965-1967). He was commissioned into the Infantry Corps on 25th September 1967 and was posted to the General Training Depot in the Curragh, with his classmate Dermot Earley. He initially trained recruits, was then posted to the NCO School, and from there was Adjutant of the Curragh Signal unit. He served in the Army Canteen Board in the Curragh, in its headquarters in Dublin and later in ‘A’ Administration Section of the Adjutant General’s Branch. He was an innovative and caring Secretary of Cumann Árachais Oifigeach an Ghnáth-Airm (CAOGA) where he helped improve the life cover it provided to the families of deceased officers and oversaw the establishment of the CAOGA Benevolent Fund.
Overseas John was a Platoon Commander with B Coy 25 Infantry Group UNEF II from October 1973 to May 1974. (Following the Yom Kippur War, 25 Infantry Group was redeployed from Cyprus to the Sinai. However, B Coy was deployed directly to the Sinai from Ireland.)
John retired from the Defence Forces to take up a position in the insurance industry.
