Gardaí appeal for help tracing relatives of fallen hero

GARDAÍ have issued an appeal for help tracing the relatives of a fallen hero who is due to be honoured by the force.

An Garda Siochána plans to unveil a memorial garden in Dublin Castle next weekend in honour of 83 gardaí who have died in the line of duty.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy will present a medal to the family of each garda whose name is on the garden’s “roll of honour”.

Garda authorities have traced the relatives of all but one of the 83 – and are anxious that his family attends the ceremony.

The garda authorities have now issued a formal appeal for help tracing the relatives of Detective Garda Timothy O’Sullivan, who was born in Skibbereen, Co Cork, and who died in 1929 from injuries sustained following a booby trap explosion.

Mr O’Sullivan was born on November 27, 1896.He lived at 98 Street, Skibbereen in Co Cork.

He served in the Volunteers from 1917 to 1922 holding the rank of captain of A Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Cork Brigade.

In 1921 he took part in the Rosscarbery battle and, for a time, acted as magistrate in the Parish Court in his home town. He also acted as supervisor to the West Cork Board of Health.

In 1922 he entered the National Army with the rank of captain.

He joined the An Garda Síochána on March 20, 1925 and served at Tralee and Kilgarvan.

A single man, he had risen to the rank of detective garda by 1929 and was based at Knock Garda Station when tragedy struck.

“According to the Census of Ireland, he had three sisters and two brothers – Norah, Pat and Dan, Ellen and Ann,” the garda spokesman said.

“He may have nephews or nieces living in the Cork area. He is the only member on the roll of honour in respect of whom we were unable to locate his relatives.”

lAny known relative should contact Chief Supt Colm Rooney, by email at [e-mail] or telephone [phone].