[1] Roche worked for four years as a clerical officer in Dublin County Council, before entering Holy Cross College in 1980 to study for the priesthood.

[3][5][6] In an interview with The Irish Catholic in 2022, he stated that while the local community had been "very welcoming" to newcomers, there was concern and anxiety over the recent influx of asylum seekers into Wicklow.

[1] Roche was appointed auxiliary bishop-elect of Dublin and titular bishop of Cell Ausaille by Pope Francis on 5 March 2024.

[15][1] Following his appointment, Roche commended the commitment and faith of both priests and laity in the archdiocese in "challenging times".

[16] In an interview with The Irish Catholic in March 2024, he opined that the Catholic Church must do more to reach out to young people suffering from anxiety, adding that the Easter message of Christ's victory over death is an opportunity to bring them a message of hope in a "much more secular culture" that was being greatly influenced by social media.