Speech by the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at Garda Memorial Day

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Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Gardaí serving and retired, Rev David, Fr Joe.

And most importantly, Friends and Family of those we remember here today.

As Minister for Justice, it really is an honour to be here with you. It’s consistently one of the most important and moving events of the year.

I take great pride in the work that our Gardaí do across this country. It is you, the women and men of An Garda Síochána, who keep us safe from harm every day.

And today is an opportunity for us to remember and recognise the selflessness and bravery of those who are gone, the courageous members of An Garda Síochána who went to work one morning and, tragically, never came back, having been killed in the line of duty.

Two years ago, I had the privilege of speaking to you as we marked the centenary of An Garda Síochána. I spoke that day of the long and proud history of serving the public, and of your crucial role in protecting all of us, our society, and the freedoms we cherish.

In the two years since, our country has seen many changes, and new challenges have emerged. We have seen acts of violence and intimidation, carried out by a tiny, criminal minority. Violence and intimidation targeted first and foremost at some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

And we have, once again, seen, An Garda Síochána meet these challenges with courage, with honour, and with respect for the public at the core of everything they do.

We have seen many hundreds of protests, the vast majority peaceful, and a small number where a violent element tried again to undermine our society.

Throughout every one of these events, Garda members respected the democratic right of all people to protest and make their voices heard, while upholding the law and responding appropriately to the shameful acts of violence.

I know that I am joined by everyone in this country who values our freedom and our democratic rights when I condemn, utterly and completely, any abhorrent attacks on Gardaí.

Any such attack represents an attack on our whole community, and an attempt to undermine and destroy our society.

It is an attack on our very democracy, and our fundamental rights.

An Garda Síochána has been one of the foundations of our system of government for over a century. Later this month we will mark 100 years of our Courts and the independent Irish judiciary, established in the Courts of Justice Act 1924. Ireland has been exceptionally well served by both these institutions. Freedom and rule of law are not separate, they are bound together.

The men and women of An Garda Síochána continue to protect our communities and our country, day in, day out.

Everyone here is only too aware of that. And sadly, many of you understand very deeply the dangers and sacrifices that come with putting on the uniform.

We remember today the 89 Gardaí who have lost their lives in the service of the State.

We ensure that their legacy lives on and that the values of An Garda Síochána, which they so valiantly upheld, are carried on.

Behind each of those 89 was a person with their own background, their own reason for joining the guards, their own hopes and dreams for the future which were cruelly taken from them.

We recognise the sadness and deep loss experienced by their loved ones.

Each tragic death leaves a void in the lives of each family that lingers on long after the event itself. I know that colleagues are often left with an indescribable sense of loss, the extent of which very few can ever fully understand.

Today we take pride in the courage of those who sacrificed so much.

As we look towards the future for our country, and for An Garda Síochána, we know that there are many great challenges ahead.

But there is great hope as well. This hope is grounded in the certainty of what came before.

These are not the first challenges we have faced, as a society and a nation, nor will they be the last.

For a century of our country’s existence, Gardaí, including those we remember today with great sadness, but also with great pride, have stood watch against such threats.

I know that I take great comfort in the steadfastness of An Garda Síochána. I know that all those who value freedom, safety, and community, do so as well.

Last year, we celebrated 100 years of the Scott Medal, another major centenary. Like the Roll of Honour, the Scott Medal and the list of its recipients contain stories of heroism, of limitless courage, and in many tragic cases, the ultimate devotion to duty and country.

Of those we remember today, I would like to mention Sergeant Andrew Callanan, whose twenty-fifth anniversary is this year. Andy was only 36 when he was tragically killed as he courageously attempted to prevent an arson attack in Tallaght Garda Station, where he had served with great distinction, a valued member of the community, respected by everyone who knew him, and most of all beloved by his family. Andy’s sacrifice, like that of every Garda on the Roll of Honour, cannot ever be repaid, nor can our gratitude ever heal the pain of his loss for his family and friends.

Our duty is to remember, and to honour the memories of all those who, like Andy, have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting us.

This record of sacrifice and heroism, stretches all the way back to the beginning. One hundred years ago, in separate incidents in 1924, Garda John Murrin, and Garda Patrick O’Halloran, were slain while doing their duty. Then, as now, Garda Murrin and Garda O’Halloran exemplified the dedication and courage that define their colleagues to this day.

Now, as then, we offer our profound gratitude and sympathy to all the families who grieve the loss of one of the names on this list.

I am honoured to be with you today, and to have the privilege of addressing you, and I share in the pride of the people of Ireland in our Gardaí, our guardians of the peace.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha uaisle.