Rossa Mulcahy
Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy is a seasoned military leader with over 35 years of experience in the Defence Forces of Ireland. He has a distinguished background that includes three peacekeeping deployments to Lebanon and Afghanistan, where he served under NATO. Recently, he was expected to be appointed as the new head of the Defence Forces, a role that will see him overseeing the largest expansion of the military in its history. This appointment comes with significant changes to the command structure, granting him unprecedented control and responsibility. Mulcahy holds qualifications in commerce, information technology, leadership management, and defence studies, and has completed advanced military training in Ireland and the United States.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen Rossa Mulcahy praised the actions of the soldiers involved in the incident.
How quick thinking saved lives after Army chaplain stabbed by teenage boy in Galway – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-03-03
Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy has reiterated the plan for the Defence Forces to provide a defence to repel any initial invasion.
responding to credible risks – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-27Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, appeared before the External Oversight Body to discuss internal complaints and recruitment.
Defence Forces push back on women-only officer appointments, warning of ‘disharmony’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-26
Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy stated the necessity for small states to defend themselves.
Ireland to buy hundreds of French armoured vehicles under military modernisation plan – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-24
Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy is the Chief of Staff tasked with providing a workforce plan to the Minister for Defence.
Why Ireland is missing its military staffing targets – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-01-17
Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy praised the actions of the soldiers involved in protecting Fr Murphy.
Army chaplain attacked with knife to receive military honour – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-01-13Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy said the new aircraft reflects an investment in modern equipment.
Defence Forces takes possession of €53m ‘strategic reach’ aircraft, replacing Government jet – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-17Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy is the Defence Forces chief of staff preparing for the EU presidency.
EU leaders’ safety in Ireland comes under spotlight – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-08
Rossa Mulcahy is the Defence Forces chief of staff who was featured in a campaign video with Jim Gavin.
Fianna Fáil removes another social media video involving Jim Gavin – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-02
Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy, she is preparing advice for the attorney general to strengthen legislation in this area.
New laws needed to tackle Russian ‘shadow-fleet’ threat, says Department of Defence official – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-25
Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy confirms he is no relation to General Richard Mulcahy, the man who helped establish the organisation over a century ago.
‘Ireland has to be able to provide a defence to repel any initial invasion’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-30
Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy, the newly appointed head of the Defence Forces, emphasizes the need for improved national defense against external threats.
Russian ‘shadow fleet’ among pressing security threats to Ireland, Defence Forces chief says – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-30
Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy has said overseas missions are crucial for developing military capabilities and testing doctrines and equipment.
UN Security Council votes to keep peacekeepers in Lebanon until 2027 – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-28Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy has said overseas missions are crucial for developing military capabilities.
Simon Harris welcomes proposals to delay withdrawal of Unifil forces in Lebanon – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-28Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy said the 2021 report set out a series of recommendations of which a number of measures were adopted.
Defence Forces pay levels rise in bid to retain staff amid ‘poaching’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-25
Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy said the towed array sonar 'will greatly enhance the Defence Forces’ situational awareness across domains'.
New €60m sonar system aims to protect transatlantic cables, gas pipelines in Irish waters – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-15Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy was briefed by Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris about the assistance his Defence Forces personnel were providing to the operation.
Armed man in Carlow fatal shooting described as having ‘fascination’ with guns – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-02
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy was briefed by Simon Harris about the operation.
Man dead after shots fired in Carlow shopping centre, Army bomb disposal team at scene – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-01The new Defence Forces chief of staff, Brig Gen Rossa Mulcahy, briefed Simon Harris on the incident.
Ireland issues formal protest letter to Israel over shots fired towards Unifil unit in Lebanon – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-31
Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy provided a detailed briefing on the serious events that took place yesterday involving Irish Defence Force personnel in southern Lebanon.
Ireland to lodge letter of objection to Israel over shots fired close to Unifil patrol in south Lebanon – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-30Brig Gen Rossa Mulcahy is expected to be named as the new head of the Defence Forces, overseeing the largest expansion of the military in its history.
Army general to become new head of Defence Forces under expanded role – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-03-03