Sadness in Limerick as former Irish Army chief of staff dies

THERE is sadness in Limerick this Saturday after news emerged of the death of the former chief of staff of the Irish Army.

Limerick-born Lt Col Gerry McMahon, a retired chief of staff of the Irish Army died yesterday at the Blackrock Clinic surrounded by his family.

Born in Limerick to Alphonsus and Lilly McMahon Gerry grew up in Cathedral Villas in the shadow of St Johns Cathedral.

He was a pupil at Sexton Street CBS after which he entered the Army and trained at the Curragh Camp, Kildare. 

He held various posts in the Army in the Congo, Lebanon and UN in New York before being appointed Chief of Staff in the mid-nineties. 

He was a member of Young Munster RFC and even though he lived in Newbridge he regularly travelled to his native city to watch Young Munster compete in the AIL. He was also a keen supporter of Munster despite living in Leinster since his early 20s. He was also a former president of Army RFC. 

Gerry had a love of Limerick and used to spend time here each August, often with his grandchildren showing them where he grew up and each of the historical sights around the city. He often quipped that his favourite bookshop in the whole world was O’Mahony’s and regularly visited it when down for an AIL or Munster match. 

Gerry is survived by his wife Ann, sons Garrett, Aengus and Felim and sister Mona.

His funeral arrangements will follow later today.