Having been appointed by the government, Brigadier General Caimin Keogh is assigned as the General Officer Commanding 1 Brigade with effect from 01st of September 2024. With operational responsibility for the mid-west and South of Ireland (Galway – Limerick – Cork – Kilkenny) he is responsible for and oversees all operations, administration, and the strategic direction of the Brigade’s units, personnel and locations, ensuring the Brigade's operational readiness and overall effectiveness in fulfilling both national and international defence commitments.
Brigadier General Keogh previously served as Director of Strategic Planning Branch from 2022 where he was responsible to the Chief of Staff for the implementation of military aspects of defence policy, the formulation of Defence Forces strategies and monitoring developments in the international security and defence environment in coordination with the Dept of Defence.
Brigadier General Keogh has also served in a wide range of both command and staff appointments at Infantry Unit, Brigade, and Defence Forces Headquarters levels throughout his career. His overseas experience includes:
- Six (6) deployments to Lebanon with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
- One (1) deployment to Liberia with United Nations Mission in Liberia (QRF UNMIL)
- Three (3) tours of duty on EU missions including appointments with OHQ EUFOR Chad/RCA (2007-09), FHQ Nordic Battle Group (2010-11), and as an EU Military Staff Officer in Brussels (2014-2017).
Caimin’s educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts from University College Galway and a Master of Arts in Leadership Management and Defence Studies from NUIM. He is a graduate of the Defence Forces’ Senior Command & Staff Course (2012) and Smurfit Executive Development (2023) .
Brigadier General Keogh is a native of and resident in Galway and is married to Irene Roberts. He follows a proud family tradition in that his father Patrick Keogh previously served as General Officer Commanding 4 Western Brigade (Athlone).
