MINISTER FOR Justice Dermot Ahern and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy expressed their shock yesterday at Garda Gary McLoughlin’s death.
“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,” Mr Ahern said.
“His tragic and untimely death serves as another desperately sad reminder of the dangers which members of An Garda Síochána face . . . 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 he was “deeply saddened”.
“Garda McLoughlin died from injuries he sustained while on duty in the service of the community following a road traffic collision . . . 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 . . . will make a full recovery.”
The commissioner 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”.
Garda Representative Association president William O’Boyce said: “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 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 northwest 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 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.”
Mr Feighan said: “Gary was a very pleasant young man who was hugely popular. His death will cast a shadow over Ballinamore this Christmas.”
Buncrana mayor Lee Tedstone, who used to socialise with Garda McLoughlin, said: “He was very popular in the town . . . There are a lot of young gardaí in Buncrana and it’s the first time they would have to deal with something like this – the death of a colleague in the line of duty. They are knocked for six.”
Family friend Caillian Ellis, who knew Garda McLoughlin since he was a child, said: “The whole community is shocked. His parents and all belonging to him are very well liked and respected . . . They were very proud of their son.”