‘Garda died as he lived, helping people’

THE great love Garda Brian Kelleher had for his wife and three little boys was recalled at his funeral yesterday.

Father Tony Mullins, PP addressed more than 500 mourners at the funeral Mass at the Holy Trinity Church in Dromin, Co Limerick.

He said: “The photographs that adorn the walls of their family home tell the story of Brian’s and Marie’s lives, and the lives of their children. So many happy moments spent together, radiant faces, images of joy and fun... always the broad smiles beaming with love. Moments to be cherished for the years ahead.”

Garda Kelleher, 46 and firefighter Mike Liston, 47, were killed instantly last Sunday when a car slammed into them while they attended a traffic accident scene near Foynes.

Fr Mullins in his homily said the work of the emergency services is often taken for granted until we are confronted by a tragedy.

Fr Mullins added: “We must all take greater care and individual responsibility for our driving and out attitude to safety on our roads. We can excuse ourselves too easily by saying it is the responsibility of others.”

“Otherwise, the pain and sadness that we have come to know in this community these pasts few days will continue to be someone else’s grief and heartache tomorrow,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of his garda colleagues Sgt Derek Smart said that Brian Kelleher was a big part of Croom life, where he was stationed for 10 years.

Sgt Smart said: “He always went that extra mile to help those most in need. Every day he would check on elderly people and always listened to the community he served.

“To Marie and the children I can tell you, you were his pride and joy. No day went by without him saying something about his boys and his chest would swell up when he would mention their achievements.”

Garda Kelleher, he said, died as he had lived — helping people.

The 13 concelebrants included the garda chaplain, Fr Joe Kennedy, Mount Argus and Fr Michael Wall who officiated at Brian and Marie Kelleher’s wedding 15 years ago.

Marie Kelleher, a nurse at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital was accompanied to the mass by the couple’s three sons, James, 10, Finnbar, eight, and Christopher, six. Also present were Garda Kelleher’s parents, Michael and Maura and brothers, Denis, Mitchell, Brendan and Paul from Quarterstown Upper, Mallow.

The garda band led the cortege on the mile-long journey from the church to the cemetery. Gardaí also marched behind the hearse led by the Commissioner, Noel Conroy and other senior officers, while a guard of honour was drawn up from students attending the Garda College in Templemore.

President Mary McAleese, the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea, who was in Lebanon, were all represented at Garda Kelleher’s funeral by members of the Defence Forces.

The government was represented by the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen.