Army Captain Remembered as a Man Who Lived Life with Vigour
A British Army officer who died during live fire training in Northumberland has been remembered as a man who embraced life with enthusiasm and dedicated himself to serving others. Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on Sunday, January 25th, following an incident at Otterburn Training Area, one of the UK’s largest army training ranges.
Capt. Muldowney, known locally as Gilbert, grew up in Ballinameen, County Roscommon, after his family relocated from Dublin when he was a child. His father, David, is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Elphin. A large gathering of mourners attended his funeral service at St. Attracta’s Church in Ballinameen on Wednesday, February 7th, where Bishop Kevin Doran spoke of the joy and hope he brought to those around him.
Bishop Doran noted that stories about Capt. Muldowney were being shared by the community as they mourned his loss, recalling his diverse interests, including archery and brewing. Items brought to the altar during the service symbolized his passions: walking boots representing his love of mountains, a longbow he handmade, his favourite book, *The Count of Monte Cristo*, and a St. Christopher’s medal, representing his faith and love of travel.
“We’re called to give our hearts to Jesus, who said to live by his word, it can take a whole lifetime, but as we have seen in Gilbert’s case, a lifetime sometimes has to be fitted into a few short years,” Bishop Doran said during the service. “We give thanks today for all that Gilbert achieved in such a short space of time, for all the joy and hope he brought to his family and friends.”
Capt. Muldowney joined the British Army on January 5th, 2020, and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery on December 11th, 2020, after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He served as a fire support commander within 129 (Dragon) Battery of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.
The Ministry of Defence described Capt. Muldowney as “an immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him.” His regiment, known as The Fighting Fourth, echoed this sentiment, stating he was “known to all simply as Gilbert” and approached every challenge “wholeheartedly.”
Colleagues and friends from the army, including Reverend Captain Henry Afful, Colonel Sean Grant, the UK defence attache to Ireland, Colonel Harry Waller, commanding officer in the Fourth Regiment Royal Artillery, and Colonel William Tulloch, First Battalion Scots Guards Commander, attended the funeral service. Representatives from the Irish Defence Forces and Capt. Muldowney’s local GAA club were also present.
Capt. Muldowney was a graduate of Elphin Community College, where he served as head boy in his final year. Anne Gilleran, the school’s principal, said he “is spoken of with enormous respect and affection by staff who knew him well.” She added, “In a small school, those memories endure, and Gilbert’s contribution to Elphin Community College is remembered with great pride.” His photograph remains displayed above the main entrance to the school as a reminder of his character and generosity of spirit.
According to reports, during a final training exercise, Capt. Muldowney radioed “man down” after being hit. He was pronounced dead less than 30 seconds later.
The circumstances surrounding Capt. Muldowney’s death are currently under investigation, and the Ministry of Defence has stated it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. He had previously been seriously injured during a commando course at Lympstone, East Devon, in January 2025, but successfully completed the fire support team commanders’ course at the Royal School of Artillery after a period of rehabilitation. He was also deployed to Estonia in November 2021.
Tributes have poured in from military personnel who served alongside Capt. Muldowney, describing him as “highly authentic” and “unapologetically himself.” He is remembered as an outstanding officer who consistently put his soldiers first and led from the front.
