Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy have expressed their shock at the death of a young garda in a road crash in Co Donegal.
Garda Gary McLoughlin (24) from Co Leitrim died today of his injuries after the patrol car in which he and a colleague were travelling was hit by another car being pursued by other gardaí. The Garda Ombudsman Commission is investigating the crash, which happened at about 1.30am yesterday.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said: "On my own behalf, and that of the Government and the Irish people, I express heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Garda McLoughlin.
"His tragic and untimely death serves as another desperately sad reminder of the dangers which members of An Garda Síochána face, day in day out, in endeavouring to keep us all safe.
"While nothing can be expected to console those who have been bereaved by this death, I hope they can draw whatever comfort they can from the fact that Gary lost his life while protecting the community which he served as part of the highest traditions of An Garda Síochána."
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said in a statement: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the death early this morning of a young colleague, Garda Gary Mc Loughlin."
"Garda McLoughlin died from injuries he sustained while on duty in the service of the community following a road traffic collision in the early hours of Sunday 13th December.
"At this time my thoughts and prayers - and those of the entire force are with the family, colleagues and friends of Garda McLoughlin. I trust that the other people injured in the collision including.Garda McLoughlin's colleague will make a full recovery."
Mr Murphy noted this was the second such tragedy to befall the Donegal Garda Division this year, which he said highlighted "in stark terms the dangers Gardaí can face each day as they go about their work of policing and rendering assistance to the community".
On behalf of all members of the Garda Representative Association, GRA President Michael O’Boyce issued the following statement on the news of the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin.
President of the Garda Representative Association, Michael O'Boyce said members of the force had learned with sadness of the tragic death of Garda McLoughlin.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his parents, family friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to Garda Bernard McLoughlin [who was injured in the crash].
“Gary was a spirited young man who brought vitality, energy and enthusiasm to work every day. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. His cruel death, once again, shows the dangers that gardaí and other emergency services’ personnel face in carrying out their duties.”
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, who is TD for Donegal South-West spoke of her shock as she attended a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council with cabinet colleagues in Limavady.
“Our sympathies go to first of all his family and secondly to his colleagues,” Ms Coughlan said. “It is just very devastating for everybody. As a person who knows a number of the (garda) members in Buncrana it really is mind-boggling that another tragedy has taken place in the county.
“We have had a lot of difficulties in the North West and particularly in Donegal with accidents on the roads.”
Fine Gael TDs Joe McHugh (Donegal North East) and Frank Feighan (Roscommon- South Leitrim) said the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin was a "terrible tragedy" and "a shocking loss".
Mr McHugh said: "In his time in Donegal Garda McLoughlin lived in Buncrana and in Letterkenny. He was widely known in both towns and was popular with colleagues and friends.
“Garda McLoughlin’s death comes just a few short months after Garda Robbie McCallion lost his life while in the line of duty in Letterkenny. As a community we will all support our dedicated Garda officers through this very difficult time for them.”
Deputy Feighan said: “Gary was a very pleasant young man who was hugely popular. His death will cast a shadow over Ballinamore this Christmas.
“Gary was fatally injured while diligently serving in the line of duty. That shocks and saddens all of us. I offer my deepest sympathy to his father Noel, to his mother Una, to his brother and sister, and to his many friends. This is a very sad loss to the community.”
Labour Party justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte also extended his sympathies to the family and friends of Garda McLoughlin.
"I would also like to offer my condolences to Commissioner Fachtna Murphy on this sad occasion, and to Garda McLoughlin's colleagues in An Garda Siochana.
"I would like to wish a full and speedy recovery to Garda Bernard McLoughlin who was injured in the collision."