OUTSIDE THE Letterkenny court, family spokesman Marty Roughneen, a brother-in-law of the dead garda, said they were delighted with the support of the public “from every corner of Ireland”.
But he stressed the family were still not happy that Jamie McGrenaghan had been found not guilty of the manslaughter of Garda Robbie McCallion. He asked if gardaí were protecting the people of Ireland, who was there to protect the Garda?
“We are very disappointed with the verdict last Friday. Members of An Garda Síochána do their duty day in and day out. protecting the communities in which they work. Their services are vital to the maintenance of law and order and that is what Robert was doing when he was fatally injured.
“Robert was in Tara Court for no other reason than he was carrying out his duty as a garda and, to say the least, we are heartbroken at the circumstances in which he lost his life, which should never have happened.
“Gardaí, as Robert did, often put themselves in situations where they risk life and limb. It is of vital importance that they are adequately protected when they are carrying out their duties and in particular that there are appropriate safeguards in place to ensure that the fate that befell Robert does not happen again.”
Earlier in the courtroom, Judge John O’Hagan said it was a very serious case but one in which he must not seek to take revenge on Jamie McGrenaghan.
There had been some public reaction to Judge O’Hagan’s direction to the jury at the end of McGrenaghan’s manslaughter trial that they should clear their minds of the fact that McCallion was a member of the Garda and approach their decision in a “cold and calculated” manner.
Judge O’Hagan said he was merely following the instructions of the Minister for Justice. “Some people have decided to rush to judgment but that is a matter for them and their opinion. I will supply the law.” But he said he appreciated the fact that gardaí go out on to the streets every day to protect the lives of the public.
The McCallion family members included Robbie’s parents Bob and Nancy, brother John, sisters Noirin and Deirdre and girlfriend Marie O’Donnell. Gardaí all over the country were thanked for their support but especially Robbie’s former colleagues. “You have been amazing and we very much appreciate the efforts you have made on our behalf as well as the work both you and the State legal team put into this case,” Mr Roughneen said.