An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 9 Reunions at home and overseas By CoMDt REtD JoE FAllon DSM O n the 17th May 2017 members of no 1 Pla- toon, A Company, 8 Infantry group UnFICyP, gathered in Custume Bks, Athlone, to mark the 50th Anniversary of their six-month tour of duty in Cyprus in 1967. no 1 Pl under lt Joe Fallon had two sections from Custume Bks and one from Dun Ui Mhaoiliosa, galway. the Pl Sgt was george tiernan, who had served in Jadotville in 1961. A Coy was commanded by Comdt Jim Flynn DSM, and had a total of four platoons, two from the Cur- ragh Training Camp, one from the Eastern Command and one from the Western Command. The 8 Inf Gp was commanded by Lt Col James Beary and had its HQ in Xeros in North West Cyprus. The Group had three operational Companies, which rotated every two months. B Coy was provided by the Southern Command while the third Coy (ICA Coy) consisted of an infantry platoon, a cavalry troop and an artillery troop, hence the name ICA. The eleven members of No 1 Platoon who had died in the intervening years were remembered with a minute's silence at the commencement of the reunion celebration. The thirteen members who gathered in the NCOs Mess are deeply grateful to Lt Col Johnny Whitaker, OC 6 Inf Bn for his support in the preparation of the reunion. The members are also grateful to the IUNVA Posts in Athlone and Galway for their support. By FR DAvID MURPhy CF - Photo: lt PAtRICK WIlSon, 2 BAR I n June 1979 David Murphy joined the Defence Forces, he completed recruit training in november 1979, and was awarded 'Best Recruit'. A week later he began his three-star course in Stephens Bks, Kilkenny. here Pte David Murphy was buddied up with the future RSM of the CIS Corp, Private John Murray. Little did the two men know but they would become life long friends, striking up the kind of unique friend- ship found during army training. They completed their three-star training in February 1980 where Pte Murphy was awarded 'Best Soldier'. He was also selected to represent the Defence Forces and the young people of the Diocese of Ossory when Pope John Paul II visited Ireland. Here Pte Murphy presented an oak sapling to the Pope, symbolising the young People of Ireland growing up and spreading the faith. Pte David Murphy completed his NCOs course in 1981 and was promoted to Corporal, he went on to study for his Leaving Certificate in September 1982 and sat his exams in June 1984. In September 1985 Cpl Murphy began studying for the Priesthood in St Peters Seminary, Wexford Town. His ordination took place on the 2nd June 1991 for the diocese of Ferns. He served in two parishes in Co Wexford until Fr Murphy re-joined the Defence Forces as a Chaplain in July 2016. Fr Murphy was then tasked with con- ducting a relief in place operation during the leave of Fr Pat Mernagh CF serving in UNDOF with 55 Inf Gp. Here he was reunited with his old buddy from their three-star training 38-years ago. 50th anniverSary reuniOn reuniteD aFter 38 yearS

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