ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Patrick (Pat) Earley, 18 The Glebe, Donegal Town on Monday, 31st August 2026. Beloved husband of Catherine, and father of Paul and Shane. Sadly missed by his sisters Kathleen and Maura, his nieces, nephews, extended family, Defence Forces comrades and friends. Predeceased by his parents Patrick and Julia, and his brother Seamus.
May He Rest In Peace
Pat Earley was born on 8th May 1949 and grew up in the village of Mountcharles, County Donegal. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 24 Infantry Battalion, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, on 4th June 1964 and was commissioned as an officer in that unit on 9th March 1971. After serving on full-time security duty in Finner Camp, County Donegal during the 1970s and 1980s, Pat was commissioned into the Permanent Defence Force on 27th June 1989 and posted to 28 Infantry Battalion. In 1992 he was appointed an Aide to an tUachtarán, Mary Robinson. Pat eventually returned to 28 Infantry Battalion where he spent the remainder of his home service.
Overseas Pat served with C Company 74 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL from October 1993 to April 1994 and with C Company 82 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL from October 1997 to May 1998. He returned to Lebanon to serve with 44 Irish Component from April 2001 to May 2002. He went on to complete a tour of duty with MINURSO in the Western Sahara from July 2004 to January 2005. Pat retired on 8th May 2005 having served the Defence Forces and his country for almost forty-one years in a most varied and interesting career.
An enthusiastic walker, Pat was also a dedicated member of the Mountcharles Heritage Group. He made a major contribution to the Group with his knowledge of the history and times of his native village.
Patrick’s remains will repose at Gallaghers Funeral Home, Station Road, Mountcharles (F94 X02N) on today, Wednesday 2nd September from 2pm until 6pm, followed by Removal to his late residence. Removal from there on Thursday 3rd September to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Mountcharles, for Funeral Mass at 11am, with burial afterwards in the adjoining churchyard.
Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if so desired, to Donegal Community Hospital or O.N.E.
House strictly private at all times.
The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Gallagher Funeral Directors & Funeral Home Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/share/19By1cX5U5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Pat’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/patrick-earley-donegal-donegal-town-640728
