Ninety members of An Garda Síochána who were killed in the line of duty were remembered today at a service in Dublin Castle.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly was joined by the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan at the Garda Memorial Garden, along with many friends and family members of those who were killed.
During the service, a remembrance medal was presented to family members of Garda Kevin Flatley, the father-of-two who was killed after being hit by a motorcycle at a checkpoint in Lanestown in north Dublin last year.
Speaking at the event, Mr Kelly said it’s a day that’s “very close to our hearts”.
He paid tribute to those who paid what he described as the “ultimate sacrifice in the service to the people of Ireland”.
“They chose a career serving the people of Ireland and answer the call to duty,” he said.
“The choice they made to make communities safer, to make a difference, to put lives of others before their own, is a constant reminder of what a privilege it is to be a garda.”
Garda Ciarán Jones died after being swept into a river during a storm
Many family members, friends, and former colleagues of those killed were in attendance.
One of those was Sheila McKeown, from Manor Kilbride near Blessington in Co Wicklow.
Ms McKeown was there to pay tribute to Garda Ciarán Jones, who was a neighbour of hers.
Garda Jones died in 2011 while out warning motorists of a bridge was becoming unstable due to strong currents during a storm.
He lost his footing and was swept into river.
Ms McKeown described him as a “good community person” who had a bright future ahead of him.
She said he was a keen sportsman, and loved his job with An Garda Síochána.
Sheila McKeown described Garda Ciarán Jones as a ‘good community person’
Also in attendance was Michael Duffy of the Garda Síochána Retired Members Association’s Dublin North Branch.
Mr Duffy paid tribute to Garda David Dowd, who he described as his best friend.
“We joined the job together in 1982, we arrived in Raheny in 1983, but unfortunately Davy was killed in the line of duty in 1989.”
Michael Duffy was Garda David Dowd’s best friend
Garda Dowd died after being struck by a train from behind while responding to a call about an intruder in Sutton.
“For six years we worked the beat together, we patrolled in the car together, we socialised together,” Mr Duffy said.
“We were brothers, we were closer than brothers. He was one of those guys you could go anywhere with and introduce to anybody.
Garda David Dowd
“He was one of the good guys and really going places.
“He had just moved into a task force unit two weeks before his death, and I have no doubt about it if he had survived his service with An Garda Síochána he would have been up there with the best at the top ranks,” Mr Duffy added.
Jim and Francis Connolly travelled to the service from Thurles in Co Tipperary.
Garda Denis Connolly died after his patrol car collided with a lorry
Jim’s son, and Francis’ twin brother Garda Denis Connolly was killed at the age of 20 while a lorry travelling in the opposite direction to him collided with his patrol car.
Garda Connolly was a keen hurler, and a “great community guy in Waterford,” Francis Connolly said.
Francis Connolly
“He hurled the year of his death with the Mount Sion team in the All-Ireland Club Final which was actually played in Thurles.
“It’s a great day to be able to come here and commemorate Denis, both for me and Dad who’s 98.”
Frances Lyons lives in Clondalkin, and was in Dublin Castle to remember her brother Sergeant Paul Reid, who was killed while on secondment duty with the United Nations peacekeeping force UNPROFPR in Sarajevo in 1995.
Sergeant Reid had previously been stationed in Carrigans, Milford, Buncrana, Burnfoot, and Monaghan before he was appointed as an administrator in the Bosnian city.
Sergeant Paul Reid died while on secondment duty
He was driving through Snipers Alley with a colleague when the car he was traveling in was shot, causing the car to go out of control and crash.
Garda Phillip Carr was also injured in the incident.
Frances Lyons remembered her brother as a ‘great father’ to his children
Ms Lyons said her brother was a “great father” to his three children.
“When he died a lot of people came out of the woodwork, because of all the help he gave them.”
She said she heard lots of stories from others of how he helped them.
“We loved him to bits, and we’re coming here every year.”