UPDATED: Tributes paid to Kildare soldier following sad passing at Curragh
The late Terry Smyth
Tributes have been paid to a Kildare member of the defence forces who has sadly passed away.
Corporal Terry Smyth (32) of Orchard Park, The Curragh, Kildare who passed away on Thursday was described as a “gem”.
A member of the Ordnance Corps, Terry was a father of two.
Terry was active in sporting circles playing with a number of club.
Bush Celtic AFC described Terry as “an absolute gem of a person gone way too soon”.
“It was an absolute pleasure growing up with Terry as a teammate and more importantly as a friend.”
Suncroft GFC, who Terry played with both at underage and at senior levels while also coaching underage, said: “He was adored by all the kids and teammates all through his days with Suncroft. There is a grey cloud hanging over us.”
The Defence Forces announced the death in service of Terry “with great sadness”.
Cpl Smyth was found in an unresponsive state by his colleagues at the Curragh Camp on Friday night.
Terry joined Óglaigh na hÉireann in 2011 as a recruit in 5 Infantry Battalion.
Cpl Smyth had 13 years of service with the Defence Forces and served in a number of appointments with the 7 Infantry Battalion, 1 Mechanised Infantry Company, the Military College, Defence Forces Physical Education School and the Ordnance Corps to name a few.
He also served on peacekeeping missions overseas in Lebanon and Syria.
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, said: “Óglaigh na hÉireann have lost a fine colleague and a better friend.
“All of us in Óglaigh na hÉireann extend our deepest sympathies to the family and the friends of Corporal Terry Smyth and to all those who were lucky enough to have known him, in whatever capacity that it was.
“He will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.”
Terry is survived by his partner Stacey, daughter Regan, son Fallon, parents Terry and Audrey, brothers Eoin and Connor, sister in law Grainne, Connor's partner Lynda, Stacey's parents Ann and Jim and the Pender family, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours, friends and Army colleagues.
Terry will repose at his residence from 2pm on Sunday concluding with rosary at 7pm. Removal by Glennons Funeral Directors on Monday morning to arrive at St. Brigid's Church, The Curragh for Requiem Mass at 10am. Cremation afterwards in Mount Jerome Crematorium at 1pm.
Terry's funeral mass and cremation service will be live streamed and can be viewed on the following links. https://www.facebook.com/TheCurraghChurch/ https://www.mountjerome.ie/victorian-chapel-service/.
