Commissioner leads senior gardaí in final farewell to colleague

GARDA Commissioner Martin Callinan along with a large number of senior ranking members attended the funeral of a colleague who died after his cancer was misdiagnosed.

Hundreds packed St James’ Church in Ballinora, Co Cork, yesterday to hear tributes being paid to Superintendent Martin Dorney, who died on January 7, two days after his 51st birthday.

His coffin was adorned with the Irish flag, a picture of him in uniform and his Garda hat and gloves.

Supt Dorney was still a serving member of the force, based in Kanturk, up to the time of his tragic death.

His GP, Dr Patrick Lee had conceded to a Medical Council inquiry last year he had tried to cover up not reading a biopsy report, which recommended that further surgery was required following the removal of a mole from the superintendent’s knee.

Canon Donal Lenihan told mourners Supt Dorney was “a kind and generous man” who bore no bitterness over his illness.

The priest described him as “a complete person” who had great heart and commitment to his family and his job and also had a deep faith and trust in God.

Canon Lenihan said Supt Dorney’s death would represent a huge loss to his wife Pauline along with daughters, Aisleigh, 22, and Naoimh, 17, and son Ciarán, 15, as well as his colleagues in the force.

Chief Supt Mick McGarry delivered a eulogy on the sporting and professional prowess of his departed colleague.

He said Martin Dorney was a great footballer who won a Munster medal in 1979 and captured an All-Ireland the following year with Cork under 21s.

“He was a great fishermen who regularly caught fresh salmon on the River Lee and shared them with family and friends,” Chief Supt McGarry said.

He added that Supt Dorney joined the gardaí in June 1980 and quickly became renowned for his administrative skills.

“He adored and doted on his wife and three children. He was an extremely warm-hearted and loving father,” Chief Supt McGarry said.

Also among the mourners were Deputy Commissioner Nacie Rice and Assistant Commissioners Willie Keane, Dermot Jennings, Fenton Fanning, John Twomey, John O’Mahony, Kevin Ludlow and Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Quilter.

Mourners also included several chief superintendents such as Tom Hayes, Mick Finn, Dave Sheahan, Pat Sullivan and Kieran McGann.

Also paying their last respects were former garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy, Judge Michael Pattwell, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Mick O’Connell and Bishop John Buckley.

The Garda choir and Garda band performed at the funeral. Garda representatives from all of the three Cork divisions shouldered the coffin into St Oliver’s Cemetery, Ballincollig where Supt Dorney was buried.