Born: September 3rd, 1941; died: March 31st, 2018
Frank Murray, who has died suddenly at his Dublin home, was a proud Leitrim man who was central to Irish public administration, as secretary to the government: and also central to recovering the remains of the Disappeared, as one of two commissioners in the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains.
As a senior civil servant, he was the consummate professional, discreet, modest and disciplined. He was noted for his ability to get to the heart of the matter, and balance competing pressures.
His civil service experience gave him a unique institutional knowledge of the workings of the houses of the Oireachtas. He served as private secretary to then taoiseach Liam Cosgrave in the 1970s. After Cosgrave left office, he became principal officer in the Northern Ireland and International Affairs Division of the Office of the Taoiseach. He then spent a decade as assistant secretary to the government. He was appointed secretary to the government in 1993 and one of his tasks was to record minutes and decisions of cabinet meetings. He also sat on the Top Level Appointments Committee.
His son Paul recalled at his funeral that his father had “worked with taoisigh and presidents including Liam Cosgrave, Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey, Garret FitzGerald, John Bruton, Albert Reynolds, Bertie Ahern, Patrick Hillery, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese. And with Brian Cowen, Enda Kenny, and Michael D Higgins at earlier stages in their careers.”
Divorce referendum
During his tenure as government secretary – he retired in 2000 – he would have had a frontrow seat as successive government wrestled with issues including the crucial period which led to the signing of the 1998 Belfast Agreement and the 1995 divorce referendum.
“The story was never, ever about him. So it comes as no surprise to hear that there are no Murray memoirs. And there is no posthumous book deal. All that he knew he has taken with him,” his son told mourners at his funeral.
After retiring from the civil service, he was appointed one of two commissioners responsible for locating of the bodies of the Disappeared. There, he showed his compassion. He looked after the victims’ families, who found his presence and attitude reassuring. He used his experience and contacts to open doors. His discretion suited him for talks with the IRA and INLA. When the remains of a loved one were discovered, it was as if the deceased were a member of his own family.
In all his roles, he remembered his Leitrim roots. Michael Francis Murray, always known as Frank, was born in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, in September 1941, eldest of four children to Frank Murray, a taxi-driver who also led a dance band, and his wife Eileen (née McCormick), who owned a sweet shop. He received both National School and secondary education from the Presentation Brothers in his home town.
After secondary schooling, he entered St Patrick’s College, Dublin, to train as a national teacher. He left two-thirds of the way through his first year for the civil service, to be a junior executive officer in the forestry division of the then department of lands.
While a civil servant, he furthered his education, with a diploma in public administration, then a BA, both from UCD.
Passion
In retirement he also served on the scholarship board of the O’Reilly Foundation, which sponsors students to undertake post-graduate studies. He served on the board of the Institute of Public Administration, then was chair of its education committee. He also served on the board of the Public Appointments Service. In the private sector, he sat on the board of Independent News and Media. He was also independent reviewer of complaints for the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
His life was much broader than the civil service. History was a passion. He played a big part in the “Our Own Place” project, that brought together the Federation of Local Historical Societies and the Federation for Ulster Local Studies. He arranged for both federations to visit Iveagh House, headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs, with a reception laid on.
He was a director of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust, which aims to honour Irish men who served in armies anywhere, under any flag. In his own area of Dublin, he was active in the Foxrock Local History Club. He was also a member of the Parnell Society. The Parnell Society is not just historical, but seeks to explore the relevance of Parnell and the politics of his era to modern Ireland.
Jazz was another passion. One of his favourite breaks was attending the Keswich Jazz and Blues Festival in Cumbria with a group of friends.
Most of all, he was a modest and self-effacing man. He took time to mentor colleagues. To the end of his life, he kept up his commitment to public service.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen; daughters Geraldine, Ciara and Catherine; son Paul; sisters Rita and Patricia; and brother Jerry. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary.