Thousands honour garda and fireman

THOUSANDS of sympathisers filed in silent tribute through two county Limerick towns into late last night to embrace the grieving families of Garda Brian Kelleher and firefighter Mike Liston.

Garda Kelleher, aged 46, and part-time fireman Mr Liston, aged 47, were killed instantly in the early hours of Sunday morning, when a car ploughed into a road traffic accident scene they were attending near Foynes.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, attended the removal of Garda Kelleher’s remains, from Daffy’s funeral home in Croom, last night, and also called to Mr Liston’s home in Foynes, where his wake was taking place.

After he sympathised with Garda Kelleher’s family, Mr McDowell said, “I have come here to pay warm tribute to Garda Kelleher’s distinguished service to the State. I recall how I met him along with his colleagues in Croom station when I visited there at the beginning of December last. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences for his wife and three children, his parents and extended family, and also to his friends in the Garda Siochána”. The Tánaiste was accompanied by Minister of State, Tim O’Malley and the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Sean Aylward.

As the cortege moved through the town, it halted briefly outside the local garda station, where Garda Kelleher served for over ten years. Garda Kelleher is also survived by his sons James, 10, Finnbar, 8, and Christopher, 6.

The Minister also spoke with the garda’s parents, Michael and Maura and his brothers, Denis, Brendan, Paul and Mitchell, who travelled from the family home at Quarterstown Upper, Mallow.

The Bishop of Limerick, Rev Dr Donal Murray, received the remains at Dromin parish church.

Among the clergy present was local parish priest Fr Tony Mullins and Fr Michael Wall, chaplain to Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick, who officiated at the wedding of Brian Kelleher and Marie, 15 years ago.

The coffin, draped with the tricolour, was placed in front of the altar and Bishop Murray extended his sympathy to the grieving family.

After leaving Croom last night, the Tánaiste travelled to Foynes, where he sympathised with the family of Mike Liston.

People called throughout the day to the home of firefighter, Mike Liston, at Dernish Avenue, where his remains lay in repose.

Mr Liston’s funeral Mass will take place at 1pm today in the local parish church and Bishop Murray will preside.

Mr Liston is survived by his wife Bernadette and his children Noelle, 23, Lyn, 19, Niall, 16, and Ann, 15.

Garda Kelleher will be buried with full garda honours in Dromin, and the garda band will lead the cortege to the local cemetery.

Every garda division in the country will be represented at the funeral.

A youth, aged 18, was arrested at the scene of the horrific accident at around 5.40am on Sunday.

A native of the Ballylongford area of north Kerry, he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, and questioned for more than 10 hours at Henry Street garda station in Limerick, before being released without charge. A garda spokesman said that a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The youth was driving an Audi Coupe accompanied by two other youths, one from Listowel and the other from Ballylongford. Initial reports indicated that they decided to drive to Limerick from Listowel after getting a text invite to a late night house party.