Commdt Sean Murray retires

February 1974

SUNDAY last saw one of the biggest F.C.A. parades in Drogheda when Commdt. Sean Murray took the salute to mark his retirement from the part-time force on reaching the age limit.

Commdt. Murray, whose association with the Army stretches over three decades, joined the L.D.F. during the last war and was commissioned a captain when the F.C.A. was established in 1946.

His successor as the new company commander of B Coy. 8th Batt. F.C.A., Drogheda, is Capt. Peter B. Sands. Like Commdt. Murray, he served in the L.D.F. during the emergency and joined the F.C.A. on its formation in 1946.

The Dunleer Platoon Commander at the time was former Minister for Education, Padraig Faulkner.

Capt. Sands was commissioned in 1955 when Mr. Faulkner retired from the force.

In 1971 he was promoted Captain and was appointed 8th Batt. Quartermaster. For a number of years, Capt. Sands has been a prominent marksman with both the rifle and the pistol.

Like his colleagues, he has been involved in security duty and has had service on the Border.

He has had responsibility for the F.C.A. Unit in Gormanston College.

In civilian life he is employed by Louth County Council as a rate collector and, like Commdt. Murray, is also well known in G.A.A. and trade union circles.