Murdered garda's son among 286 graduates

IT WAS a poignant moment for the family of the late Det Garda Jerry McCabe, shot dead by the IRA in 1996, when his 27-year-old son Ross graduated yesterday from Templemore Garda training college.

Christened Desmond but known as Ross, the new garda is the second son of the late detective garda to join the force. His brother John is a Garda sergeant stationed in Ennistymon, Co Clare.

Det Garda McCabe's widow, Ann McCabe, watched with family members and friends including her grandchildren Owen and Mark as her son received his certificate following a two-year training and academic programme.

Mrs McCabe campaigned for years to prevent the early release of the men who shot and killed her husband and seriously injured his colleague Ben Sullivan during a post office raid in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996.

She said, however, that "today is not about me. It's about Ross and all the other young men and women who chose this career." She was delighted he had followed the same career as his father. She was very proud of Ross and "each and every one" of the graduates.

Asked what her husband might have thought of yesterday's event, she said: "I'm sure he's looking down on us doing better work."

The McCabe family heard Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy tell all 286 graduates that "changes in the nature of crime also bring new challenges", and that crime figures published this week "provide a stark reminder of the range of issues that you will confront on a daily basis".

Gardaí, he said, "provide the frontline response on behalf of our communities and maintain that thin line" against drugs, crime and violence. "There is an obligation on all of us to minimise the risks faced by you as young police officers and indeed to minimise risks faced by young people throughout our country."

Three graduates were awarded special honours. Garda Declan O'Keefe, from Youghal, Co Cork, as the best all-round student, received the Gary Sheehan memorial medal, commemorating the garda recruit killed on duty in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, in December 1983.

Garda John Horkan, from Swinford, Co Mayo, received the Commissioner's Medal as the student achieving the highest aggregate marks in academic subjects.

The Templemore Town Council medal for outstanding achievement and appreciation in social science studies went to Garda Conor Egan, from Newport, Co Tipperary.