24,000 show their sympathy on Facebook for tragic garda
One “RIP Garda Ciaran Jones” page, set up on Tuesday, had by last night been liked by more than 17,800 people and the numbers clicking on the “like” button were set surpass 18,000 overnight as hundreds took to the web to show their support.
Adding in the other tribute sites to Garda Jones, more than 24,000 people have paid tribute.
People from all over the country and abroad have left messages for the Jones family after the tragedy which claimed the life of Ciaran, with hundreds of heartfelt tributes paid to the 25-year-old garda.
On Monday, during torrential rain and flooding, Ciaran, who had made the county football panel under Mick O’Dwyer, was swept into the River Liffey at the Ballysmuttan Bridge near his home in Manor Kilbride, Co Wicklow.
He had been trying to warn oncoming motorists not to cross the bridge when the river took him.
Ciaran had been a member of the force for four years, stationed at Stepaside in Dublin and known to his friends as “Jonesy”.
His death has shocked his community and the nation, with tributes flooding in via the Facebook pages.
“You showed what a true hero you were. You gave your life to save others. My heart is broken thinking of your parents and siblings, but in their grief, their hearts must be so full of pride,” said one poster yesterday.
Ciaran is survived by parents John and Brenda, who both returned to Ireland on Tuesday from a holiday abroad after being told of the news, his sister Michelle and brother Alan, who witnessed the incident.
Ciaran will be brought from his home to St Brigid’s Church, Kilbride, at 5.30pm today. He will be buried after funeral Mass at 12pm tomorrow in the adjoining cemetery.
The family requested that if people wish to make donations, they should consider the area’s mountain rescue teams, cancer research and other local charities.
* facebook.com/RIPCiaranJones
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