Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen
The new organisation adopted an emblem resembling the cap badge of the Defence Forces and incorporated the number 1 into its design signifying the amalgamation of the different groups.
The first President of the Organisation was Major General Hugo McNeill and the vice-Presidents were Senator Victor Carton PC, Lieutenant Colonel Fred O'Connor, Mr. Eoin O'Riain B.L.
From June 2000 onwards the organisation became a limited company with charitable status under the Companies Act 1963[1] following a special resolution placed before its members at an Extraordinary General Meeting held in Cobh, County Cork under the chairmanship of Mr Jack Gilmartin,[2] a native of Dublin who lives in Cobh.
The first Chairman of the newly formed board of directors was Captain Patrick T. Rooney (Rtd)[2] a native of Drogheda, County Louth.
Rooney had over 37 years service with the 8th Battalion, FCA (Reserve Defence Force) stationed along the Border between the Republic and Northern Ireland in County Louth.
Mr. Dunleavy was a long serving member of the Organisation who was the driving force behind the building of a home in Dublin for destitute soldiers, sailors and airmen.
In October 2003 Mr. Joe Lynch, a native of Drogheda, was selected as the first chief executive officer (CEO) for the newly formed Company.
[5] The Company President is Martin Coyne Mullingar Branch and The chairman of the board stood down lately was Lt. General Gerry McMahon, retired Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and native of Limerick while the current chief executive officer is Mr. Ollie O'Connor, a native of Drogheda.
In 1991 the planning reached a critical stage and with a concrete strategy in place building works commenced and were brought to fruition in 1994 when the then President Mrs. Mary Robinson opened the newly built 20 bedroom home called Brú na bhFiann,[6] liberally translated from Gaelic as 'Home of the Brave'.
During this time ONET housed twenty four ex-servicemen and commenced provision of B&B style accommodation for serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and their families.
The old Brú na bhFiann was demolished during the redevelopment of Dublin's Smithfield Market and replaced with a state-of-the-art 40 bedroom complex, which was officially opened by the then President of Ireland and Patron of ONET, Mrs. Mary McAleese.
The new home contains a reception, bar, kitchen, dining room capable of seating up to 90 people, laundry and administration offices.
The home was fully refurbished to the highest Health & Safety standards and delivers first class safe, affordable and comfortable accommodation to its residents since it was officially opened by Cllr Dessie Larkin, Letterkenny Town Mayor, in March 2004.
Negotiations for the purchase of the home from the Department of Defence concluded in 2005 and following a major investment from ONET which was again funded through the Irish Government's housing and anti poverty strategy, local donations and from ONET's national funds, the home was officially opened by the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea TD,[8] in August 2006.
ONET also accommodates serving and retired members of the Defence Forces and their families from Ireland and overseas in their Dublin home, Brú na bhFiann.
Twelve days later, the Congolese government requested military assistance from the United Nations to maintain its territorial integrity.
Each year on the nearest Saturday to the anniversary of the Niemba Ambush ONET commemorates the event with a mass and wreath laying ceremony in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin.
The ONET web site contains an on-line form to join the Organisation which must be printed and forwarded to the company secretary.
