Major General Sean McCann Chief of Staff, Defence Forces
The Cabinet has accepted the nomination, by Irish Defence Minister Tony Killeen, of Major General Sean McCann, as the new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
In accepting this post, Major General McCann paid great tribute to his predecessor, Lieut General Dermot Earley, who is officially retiring early from this post on Sunday next after 44 years’ service in the Defence Forces. Lieut General Earley has been suffering from ill health since late last year.
Gen McCann aged 60, was born in Cork in 1950, but grew up here in Tipperary, where he was educated at Thurles C.B.S. and in the Cistercian College Roscrea. General McCann is married and resides in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, with his wife Frances and their two sons, one of whom is currently also serving in the Defence Forces.
Major General Sean McCann has been Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) since last year, stated that he was proud and honoured to be nominated and he now intended to ensure that the organisation continued to develop the skills and capabilities necessary to meet the increasingly complex challenges of the security environment, both at home and overseas.
Paying tribute to Gen Earley, he stated that the outgoing Chief had made an enormous contribution to the Defence Forces and to the Irish State, during his long and distinguished career.
General McCann will now be officially appointed by President Mary McAleese and we wish him continued success.
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