Garda station flags fly at half mast ahead of prayer service in honour of officer killed at checkpoint

Garda Kevin Flatley died after being struck by a motorcycle while he conducted speed checks on the R132 in Lanestown, close to Blake’s Cross in Lusk, on Sunday. Photo: An Garda Siochana/PA

Flags are at half mast today at garda stations across the country as colleagues of Garda Kevin Flatley prepare for a prayer service in his memory in Dublin this evening.

Garda Flatley died after being struck by a motorcycle while he conducted speed checks on the R132 in Lanestown, close to Blake’s Cross in Lusk, on Sunday. The motorcyclist was critically ill on Monday morning at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Garda Flatley had reported for work on Sunday morning at Dublin Castle where he was based with the Roads Policing Unit. On Monday evening, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will join with colleagues for a private prayer service at Dublin Castle, led by garda chaplains Fr Joe Kennedy and Reverend David Pierpoint.

His death came just a week ahead of the annual remembrance ceremony at the adjacent Garda Memorial Garden. Garda Flatley is the 90th officer to die on duty.

A spokeswoman for An Garda Siochána said the ceremony will go ahead. No funeral arrangements have yet been made for the garda, who is survived by his wife Una and two daughters.

An autopsy is due to be undertaken on Monday by the State pathologist, Dr Linda Mulligan. The road has been reopened and members of the public have laid flowers at the scene.

A statement from the Road Safety Authority on Monday afternoon said: “"On behalf of everyone at the Road Safety Authority, we want to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Garda Kevin Flatley. 

"He died while carrying out his duty—on the front line of road safety—working to protect others. We stand in solidarity with An Garda Síochána and all those mourning his loss."

The investigation into the incident is being led by An Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission.