Shock in County Roscommon as young army officer dies following live firing incident in the UK
Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney (25) who died on Sunday, January 25th after the incident at an army training site in Northumberland, UK.
There is shock and sadness in County Roscommon following the news of the tragic death of a 25-year-old British Army officer following an incident during live fire training on Sunday.
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, who grew up in County Roscommon, died on Sunday after the tragic accident at an army training site in Northumberland.
He served as a fire support team commander in the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and it is understood that the accident happened during a night time exercise at around 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Son of David and Meg Muldowney from Ballinameen, Boyle, Gilbert, as he was known, was educated locally at Elphin Community College after the family moved from Dublin to the North Roscommon village.
His father, David, was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Elphin back in 2012 and is actively involved in parish life in Ballinameen.
This afternoon the parish priest of Ballinameen/Breedogue Very Rev Lawrence Ebuk spoke of the sadness in the community as news broke of the passing of Gilbert.
He told the Roscommon Herald that prayers had been recited at Masses throughout the parish for the Muldowney family and the parish would stand united with them at this very sad time. He added that Deacon David was actively involved in parish life and the Muldowney family would be well known throughout the area.
A spokesperson for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin offered condolences and prayers to Deacon David Muldowney, his wife Meg and their daughters, on the tragic death of their son and brother Gilbert.
Gilbert who attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, joined the Army in January 2020 and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in December of that year.
He served in multiple roles and was deployed in November 2021 to Estonia for six months.
He had been seriously injured on a commando course in January 2025 and ordered to pause and rehabilitate, but returned to duty after his recovery.
Tributes have been paid made by military personnel who had served with him, describing him as a "true friend" and a "truly kind person".
Known as Gilbert, he was "an immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired everyone around him,” Commanding Officer of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Waller said.
"Always full of ideas and never without a bright smile, Gilbert approached every challenge wholeheartedly, whether in camp or out in the field."
He described Gilbert as an "outstanding officer who consistently put his soldiers first", calling him "a rising star" in the Army and the regiment.
He will be remembered "for his easy-going nature, boundless energy, and infectious sense of humour".
