Tánaiste leads tributes to Navy chaplain Fr Des Campion

Tánaiste and Defence Minister Micheál Martin has led tributes to Fr Des Campion, who served as chaplain to the Naval Service for almost four decades.

Fr Campion, who acted as Navy chaplain from 1988 to 2024, working from the naval base in Haulbowline, passed away on Saturday.

Mr Martin offered his sympathies to Fr Campion’s family and to all who had known him.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Fr Des Campion, who for 36 years was a source of great compassion, counsel and support for all who served in the Irish Naval Service,” Mr Martin said.

“As Navy chaplain, Fr Campion combined a deep faith with an infectious sense of humour, and a strong commitment to the men and women he served with.

“I very much enjoyed meeting Fr Campion, and he will be sorely missed.” 

The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr Fintan Gavin, said he extended his sympathy to Fr Campion’s family, friends, the Salesian order, and his colleagues in Hawlbowline.

“The Diocese of Cork and Ross has been blessed by Fr Des’s ministry and his life has touched many individuals and families with whom he has celebrated milestone moments in life,” Bishop Gavin said.

“We pray that he may now be in the loving presence of the Lord whom he served as a priest.”

In a statement, the Naval Service said Fr Campion was “a guiding light and source of comfort to all who served”.

“His unwavering faith, compassion, support and belief in us enriched our lives and strengthened our families and our community. He will be deeply missed by the previous and current generation of the Naval family.

“Fair winds and following seas Fr Des. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.” 

Formerly of Brendan Road, Drimnagh, in Dublin, Fr Campion is survived by his siblings Declan, Bernard, Miriam and predeceased by his brother Raymond.

He will lie in rest in the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Naval Base, Haulbowline, on Tuesday, November 19, from 3pm until celebration of Vespers at 7pm.

Concelebrated Requiem Mass will be held at 11am on Wednesday, November 20.

He will then rest at the Brian McElroy Funeral Home, Crumlin Village, in Dublin, on Thursday, November 21, from 5pm to 7pm.

Concelebrated Requiem Mass at 11.30am on Friday, November 22, in the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mourne Road, in Drimnagh, followed by burial in Palmerstown Cemetery.