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HISTORIC SAM BROWNE PRESENTATION O
BY LT DONNCHA LENIHAN (4 CAV SQN) PHOTOS CPL BILLY FINNANE (6 INF BN)
Comdt Cooke is presented with Seán Connolly's Sam Browne in the Officers' Mess, Custume Barracks by Mr Donal MacLochlainn. Also pictured are Mrs Rita MacLochlainn and Brig Gen Aherne.
Mr Donal MacLochlainn, a nephew of Connolly who wanted to give the belt to the unit that was identified so strongly with his late uncle. Be- fore the presentation Mr MacLo- chlainn, his wife Rita and members of their family were treated to lunch in the Officers' Mess attended by Brig Gen Gerald Aherne, GOC 4 W Bde, and Comdt Eugene Cooke, OC 4 Cav Sqn. Accepting the presentation on
Browne belt that once belonged to Commandant Seán Connolly of the Longford Brigade IRA during the War of Independence, from whom the unit draws a great deal of its heritage. The barracks in Longford that housed the unit from 1972 until 2009 was named in his honour, as is the Squadron's present head- quarters, Seán Connolly House, in Custume Barracks, Athlone. The presentation was made by
n June 1st 2012, 4 Cav Sqn was honoured with the presentation of the Sam
behalf of 4 Cav Sqn, Comdt Cooke spoke briefly about the significance of Seán Connolly in the unit's his- tory, the challenges faced by the unit during the barracks closure and redeployment to Athlone in 2009, and recent sporting and military achievements, including the All- Army Recce Concentration won by a detachment from 4 Cav Sqn. The Sam Browne has been
Comdt Cooke and Mr MacLochlainn pictured with members of 4 Cav Sqn outside Seán Connolly House. Included is Sgt Maj Johnny Enright, Sergeant Major of the Cav Sch and former Squadron Sergeant of Connolly Bks, Long- ford. Members of the MacLochlainn family are also pictured.
An Cosantóir September 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie
mounted in a display case and will be hung in a prominent location within the headquarters building as a reminder of the proud history and heritage of 4 Cav Sqn.
