title: David Stapleton (Lieutenant-General)
text: # David Stapleton (Lieutenant-General)
  
  Lieutenant General David "Dave" Stapleton DSM (26 September 1937 - 13 June 2016), was an Irish army general officer who served as Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces and previously as Force Commander of UNDOF in the Golan Heights.
  
  ## Early life
  
  Stapleton was born in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland on 26 September 1937, where he attended the local Christian Brothers school.
  
  ## Military career
  
  He joined the Irish Defence Forces Cadet School in 1955 and was commissioned into the Supply and Transport Corps. During a forty five year long career he held the senior positions of Commander 6th Infantry Brigade, Director of the Transport Corps, Quartermaster General, Force Commander UNDOF and Chief of Staff.
  
  ## Personal life
  
  He was married to Maureen and had four children. Stapleton died at his home in Newbridge on 13 June 2016.
  
  