Former football captain gets senior UN role in Chad

THE new deputy force commander for the UN peace enforcement mission in Chad is a well-known Corkman who captained his county minor football team to All-Ireland glory in 1972.

Brigadier General Gerald Aherne has been appointed deputy force commander of the UN mission in troubled Chad, which has taken over from an EU-backed force.

He will be the senior Irish commander in what is seen as a very important and prestigious appointment, as the 99th Infantry Battalion, nicknamed the “blue hats” continue Ireland’s contribution in the mission.

Brig Gen Aherne joined the army in 1971 and served most recently as director of training in Defence Forces HQ.

He was previously Officer Commanding 6th Infantry Battalion and Custume Barracks, Athlone.

The senior officer, born in Cork city, has served in several overseas missions.

They included three tours of Lebanon as well as a military observer role in the Middle East for two years.

In 2007, he was the last Irish officer to serve in Liberia, holding the position of UN chief operations officer in Liberia.

Brig Gen Aherne played minor and Under-21 football for St Finbarr’s GAA Club and for Cork.

The officer is married with three children, including a son, John, who is a serving army officer.

His family live in Kiltoom, Co Roscommon where he is involved with St Brigid’s GAA Club.