Funeral of Acting Sgt. Major, Declan "Doc" O'Connell

Tuesday, 21 February 2023 16:34

By Clem Ryan

Funeral with full military honours. Tribute from the President.

Acting Sergeant Major Declan ‘Doc’ O'Connell (54) who died in Spain due to parachute failure was buried today with full military honours.

The Newbridge native was due to marry his partner Audrey in the coming weeks.

He is survived by Audrey, his daughter Niamh, parents Mary and Iggy, sister Denise, Audrey's daughter Aisling and extended family.

Members of Sarsfields GAA Club and Newbridge Town Soccer Club formed guards of honour.

Military Chaplain, Fr PJ Somers in his homily said Declan lived his life by a five-point creed given to him by the late Lieutenant General Dermot Earley: prioritise family, work hard, exercise, give to the community, have faith.

The funeral mass was in St Brigid's Church in the Curragh Camp.

At the end of the Requiem Mass, Declan’s friend Eamon Lawlor read tributes to him from family, friends, and President Michael D Higgins.

The funeral was attended by members of the Defence Forces, including Deputy chief of Staff Major General Adrian Ó Murchu, who, last week paid tribute to “Doc” on Kfm’s Kildare Today programme..

After mass, Acting Sg.t Major O'Connell’s coffin, covered with the tricolour, was borne on a gun carriage from the Curragh for burial in St Conleth’s cemetery.

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