Templepatrick native Danny Kinahan, late the Blues and Royals and a former MP and Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, is the new president for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity in Northern Ireland.
Growing up in a family where many of his relations had served during the Second World War, Danny’s parents also regularly hosted and supported military families during The Troubles. Joining the Armed Forces seemed natural career choice.
After Sandhurst, Danny’s first posting out of country was to Cyprus serving with the United Nations as he commanded a troop of Ferret armoured cars patrolling the peace line between Turkish and Greek forces.
From wheels to tracks, his next command was of Scorpion light reconnaissance tanks, taking part in local and larger NATO exercises. In 1983 and now a captain, he returned home to Northern Ireland, undertaking a six-month operational tour with the First Battalion The Black Watch, based in North Howard Street Mill.
After further postings, Danny left the Regulars in the mid-1980s to return home to manage the family farm in Templepatrick but remained a Reserve Officer with the Blues and Royals, returning to Germany on two occasions, before joining the North Irish Horse as Squadron Leader in Belfast. He was made the Honorary Colonel of the North Irish Horse and helped promote its role as part of the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry.
More recently Danny has been a political representative for the Ulster Unionist Party, serving the people of South Antrim in local Council, as an MLA at Stormont and as their Member of Parliament at Westminster. Most important militarily in this was his work with other MPs lobbying for, as they put it, “…a fairer approach to the legacy of The Troubles for NI veterans”.
He campaigned hard both in the chamber and in the various all-party groups and specifically via a committee chaired by Henry (now Lord) Bellingham to better inform MPs and Lords on Legacy matters. Danny continued coordinating this committee once he had lost his seat.
He was appointed as Northern Ireland’s first Veterans Commissioner in September 2020, resigning in September 2024. He championed the health and housing concerns of veterans in NI, ensured support was better coordinated, and that the English- and Welsh-centric work never forgot the Northern Ireland veteran.
Of his appointment to SSAFA NI, Danny said:
“It’s an honour to be president of SSAFA NI as it is one of the very best service charities excelling at delivering support to veterans and their families.
“I hope to help SSAFA NI further reach out to veterans and their families and help improve the support environment so that the necessary care is both timely and as pertinent as possible to their needs.”
Robert Dunne, branch chair of SSAFA NI, added:
“I am delighted that Danny has agreed to join us, and I know that he will devote the same energy in this new role as he so ably demonstrated as Northern Ireland’s first Veterans Commissioner. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with Danny on a number of initiatives in the past and I know he will be a source of inspiration and guidance as we move forward together.”
For more information of how SSAFA helps the Armed Forces community, search for “SSAFA near me”.
