General Officer Commanding, 2nd Eastern Brigade

Brigadier General Michael Finn

Brigadier General Michael Finn

Military Experience

Brigadier General Michael Finn was born in Claremorris, Co. Mayo and is a product of St Colman’s College, Claremorris.  Having commenced his military education in the Cadet School in Oct 1970 he was commissioned into the 2nd Infantry Battalion in September 1972, and later graduated from University College Galway with a Bachelor Degree in Commerce. 

During his career, Brigadier General Finn has served in a wide variety of appointments in the Defence Forces, primarily in the 2nd Eastern Brigade and Defence Forces Headquarters.  On promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he was appointed as a Staff Officer in the Brigade HQ, before taking command of the 2nd Infantry Battalion in 2002.    Upon promotion to the rank of Colonel in 2005 he was appointed Director of the Strategic Planning Office, with responsibility for research and planning in order to provide advice on strategic issues affecting the Defence Forces.

In April 2010 Brigadier General Finn was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff (Support).  His role was to support the General Staff and to oversee the HR management and Logistic functions of the Defence Forces.  In March 2012 he was appointed as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Eastern Brigade.  As the GOC, Brigadier General Finn has military command over an area which dominates the Eastern seaboard of the country, the Capital City of Dublin and all its related infrastructures, and indeed much of the outlying provincial region of Leinster.  He exercises command over three Rifle Battalions, a Logistics Support Battalion, a Field Artillery Regiment, a Cavalry Squadron and  support elements in the areas of Engineering, Medical, Communications, Military Police and others. 

Overseas Service

Brigadier General Finn has served extensively overseas.  He has served as a Company Commander in UNIFIL in South Lebanon, and also as a Staff Officer at both Battalion and Force HQ level with UNIFIL.  He has served with the UN Truce Supervision Organisation in the Golan Heights and South Lebanon. In 2003, he was appointed to command the first Irish infantry force on the NATO-led KFOR mission in the former Yugoslavia.  Most recently he served as the Director of Logistics on the European Union Military Staff in Brussels from 2007 to 2010, where he was responsible for planning logistical inputs for EU military and civilian operations, including the deployment of an EU force to Chad and Central African Republic.

Responsibilities

Along with training for its role in peace support operations overseas, the Brigade provides bomb disposal, cash and prisoner escorts, security of vital State installations, armed support to the Gardaí, and vital support in times of emergency.  The Brigade also contributes heavily to ceremonial events such as official visits by foreign Heads of State, National commemorations, and Presidential occasions; thus contributing to the prestige and solemnity of important historical events.

Family and Interests

Brigadier General Finn is married to Helen and they have three grown children, one of whom also serves in the Defence Forces.  In his spare time General Finn enjoys reading and foreign travel.  He is active in his local community and has a keen interest in Gaelic Football and Rugby.

 

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