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24/06/2010
O'Dea Leads Condolences For General Earley
The former Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has spoke of his deep sadness at the death of Lt. General Dermot Earley.
Mr O'Dea said Dermot’s passing is an immense loss for his family and for his wider family in the Defence Forces.
Lt-General Dermot Earley, who died on Wednesday at the age of 62, was high-ranking military official in Ireland and with the United Nations whilst being regarded as one of the greatest Gaelic Football players never to have won an All-Ireland medal.
Earley was Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces from 2007 until his retirement in earlier this year.
He was one of the all-time great footballers with a senior inter-county career that lasted for twenty years. He won five Connacht titles, one National League and two All-Star awards despite the ultimate honour of an All-Ireland medal at senior level eluding him.
Speaking today following the news of Earley's passing, Willie O'Dea said: "One of the greatest honours I had as Minister for Defence was to be able to nominate Dermot for the position of Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces in April 2007. I was privileged to bring his name to Cabinet for appointment, as I knew he would make an outstanding Chief of Staff.
"He was a truly inspiring soldier and leader."
The Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny also extended his condolences to the family of Dermot Earley following the news of his death.
"Dermot Earley was, I believe, one of the most iconic Chiefs of Staff of the Defence Forces since Michael Collins. Born in Castlebar, Dermot was an outstanding role model in his enthusiastic and committed approach to all aspects of his life. In his service to his country he was exemplary, in his pursuit of sporting excellence he stood above all but the greatest footballers of our time," he said.
(DW/GK)
Mr O'Dea said Dermot’s passing is an immense loss for his family and for his wider family in the Defence Forces.
Lt-General Dermot Earley, who died on Wednesday at the age of 62, was high-ranking military official in Ireland and with the United Nations whilst being regarded as one of the greatest Gaelic Football players never to have won an All-Ireland medal.
Earley was Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces from 2007 until his retirement in earlier this year.
He was one of the all-time great footballers with a senior inter-county career that lasted for twenty years. He won five Connacht titles, one National League and two All-Star awards despite the ultimate honour of an All-Ireland medal at senior level eluding him.
Speaking today following the news of Earley's passing, Willie O'Dea said: "One of the greatest honours I had as Minister for Defence was to be able to nominate Dermot for the position of Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces in April 2007. I was privileged to bring his name to Cabinet for appointment, as I knew he would make an outstanding Chief of Staff.
"He was a truly inspiring soldier and leader."
The Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny also extended his condolences to the family of Dermot Earley following the news of his death.
"Dermot Earley was, I believe, one of the most iconic Chiefs of Staff of the Defence Forces since Michael Collins. Born in Castlebar, Dermot was an outstanding role model in his enthusiastic and committed approach to all aspects of his life. In his service to his country he was exemplary, in his pursuit of sporting excellence he stood above all but the greatest footballers of our time," he said.
(DW/GK)
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