New GOC 1 Brigade son of former Athlone brigadier general
Having been appointed by the government, Brigadier General Caimin Keogh has been assigned as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Brigade with effect from September 1.
Brigadier General Keogh follows a proud family tradition with local links, as he is the son of Patrick Keogh, who previously served as GOC 4 Western Brigade (Athlone).
GOC 1 Brigade has operational responsibility for the mid-west and South of Ireland (Galway – Limerick – Cork – Kilkenny).
Brigadier General Keogh will be responsible for and oversee all operations, administration, and the strategic direction of the Brigade’s units, personnel and locations, ensuring its 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 Department 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 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), and three tours of duty on European Union (EU) missions.
These included 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).
Brigadier General Keogh 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.