A MEMORIAL garden for the 83 members of An Garda Síochána killed in the service of the State was opened at Dublin Castle at the weekend.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern presented medals to representatives from the families of the gardaí, whose names were inscribed in stone on a roll of honour.
The family members included Stacey McCabe, daughter of Garda Jerry McCabe, killed by an IRA gang in Adare in 1996.
Mr Cowen said people expected a great deal from gardaí. They were called to resolve small problems and at the moments of greatest crisis.
“Every sunny day and rainy night sees men and women put on the blue uniform and step forward to do their duty. Gardaí often have to deal with traumatic events that most people will never experience in their entire lives. And they do so with great empathy, understanding and tact,” the Taoiseach said.
“Gardaí also have to confront those who wilfully commit crimes of great violence, terror and abuse, and this they do with courage. They respond to our calls to defend our homes, police our roads and confront those who do us harm. We owe them our unending thanks.
Mr Cowen said the courage and dedication of gardaí had “too often” seen members of the force lay down their lives in the service of their fellow men and women.
“The grief of husbands, wives, children, parents, sisters and brothers is a testament to their love for the ones they have lost. This garden, and the roll of honour, stands as a small reminder that the whole community also gives thanks for all members of An Garda Síochána who gave their lives serving us, the citizens of this country,” he said.
The Garda Commissioner said it was a particular matter of pride to him that the force continued to serve unarmed, something he said had been fundamental to policing in Ireland since the establishment of An Gárda Síochána in 1922.
“At 83 different moments in the last 88 years, time has stood still for the entire Garda family as reports have come in that there has been an incident and a colleague has been lost,” he said.
“It is important that we take this moment to recognise the particular pain which those moments visit upon the loved ones of those who pay that ultimate sacrifice.”
