Tributes paid as hero Det. Garda Ben O’Sullivan dies 26 years after IRA shooting in Adare
Detective Garda Ben O'Sullivan (pictured here in 1997), who was with Detective Garda Jerry McCabe when he was murdered in Limerick in 1996, has died. Photo: Kieran Clancy
Tributes have been paid to heroic retired Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan who died this morning, 26 years after he survived being seriously wounded in an IRA gun attack which also claimed the life of his colleague, Detective Garda Jerry McCabe.
Mr O’Sullivan, 78, passed away surrounded by his family in the early hours of Friday, at Milford Hospice, Co. Limerick, following a short illness.
A native of Mourneabbey, Mallow, Co Cork, but living in Corbally, Limerick, Mr O’Sullivan had miraculously survived being shot 11 times during the IRA gun attack on Main Street Adare, on June 7, 1996.
The gang, armed with AK47 machine guns, opened fire on the two detectives as they sat in their patrol car while escorting a post office van that was delivering cash and mail in the village.
Four men were jailed for their roles in the atrocity, however, their guilty pleas to manslaughter during their murder trial, which were accepted by the State, were met with revulsion by the garda’s families, rank-and-file members of the force, and the wider public.
The two detectives were later awarded the Scott Gold Medal, McCabe posthumously, and they were also both honoured with the Freedom of Limerick in 2018, for their bravery and work on the frontline.
Mr O’Sullivan was also awarded a Scott Gold Medal in 1994 after he disarmed a gunman who was on the loose in Limerick city.
Paying tribute to Mr O’Sullivan, Pat Kearney, a brother-in-law of the late Detective Garda McCabe, said: “Ben was a mighty character, a mighty strong man, physically, mentally, spiritually, he was a terrific man; he took 11 bullets into his body and lived.”
Speaking last July, following the 25th anniversary of the IRA attack in Adare, Mr O’Sullivan opened up about the trauma he had suffered: “My reluctance to give interviews is because I was waking up at night saturated with perspiration, for a couple of years after what happened in Adare.”
The father of four said he had found solace and peace in a farm he purchased afterwards, which he said “helped deprive me of pondering on my past and allowing me to live my future, it’s distracting me from my past”.
The two garda colleagues who were also “best friends” would this year celebrate the 50th anniversary of their joining the Garda Special Branch in Limerick.
They both also protected the late Dessie O’Malley, who passed away last year, when he was Minister for Justice in the 1970s and when he faced a credible threat from the Provisional IRA.
“I was with (Minister O’Malley) during the ‘dangerous times’, and maybe we didn't realise it at the time that it was as dangerous as it was because if you were afraid of danger, you would have stayed in bed,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
Pat Kearney said Mr O’Sullivan was a “one-off hero” who remained “dignified” all throughout the controversy surrounding the IRA killers' manslaughter pleas, as well as calls by Sinn Féin for the early release of Detective McCabe’s killers under the Good Friday Agreement.
“It is sad he has passed away, a man who went through so much and survived it all and he was left with a lot of pain, but he never gave in to it,” said Mr Kearney. “They don't make many Ben O’Sullivans.”
Recalling the immediate aftermath of the Adare attack, he said: “Ben was rushed from the Limerick Regional Hospital by helicopter to Belfast because the Regional had no experience of gunshot wounds, whereas Belfast was up to their eyes in it, and he got great treatment up in Belfast.”
“Ben was a friend to everyone, he was as honest and direct a man as you could meet, he helped anyone in any way he could. He was great company, had endless stories, yarns, and jokes.”
“He was a hard worker and he appreciated working, and the little bit of land was a great distraction, it was his hideaway, I suppose it was his place of rest and mental contentment where he could potter around the land and be away from everyone - and he had a great habit, he would never answer the phone.”
“He had great dignity, great stature, and he gave every man a fair break.” Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, added her condolences saying she was "deeply saddened" to hear of his death.
She said: "Like so many people, I was deeply saddened today to hear of the death of Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan.
In this centenary year of An Garda Síochána, there is little doubt that Ben O’Sullivan represented the very best of its values, service and bravery. Twice awarded a Gold Scott medal, Ben served his country with great courage and valour, selflessly taking on the burden of protecting all of us from danger. We thank him for his unstinting service and we mourn his passing.
"The horrific attack on Ben and his partner, the late Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, on 7 June 1996 was one of the most sickening attacks on Garda members in the history of the State. While Jerry’s life was taken instantly, Ben was shot eleven times and left with serious injuries along with the devastating loss of his great friend. The Irish people will never forget that day and the bravery of Ben, Jerry and all their colleagues.
On behalf of the Government and my Department, I send my deepest sympathies to Ben’s wife Anne, their children and grandchildren, and all his many friends and colleagues in An Garda Síochána."
Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan. Ben represented the best of An Garda Síochána, and we will never forget the bravery of Ben and his partner Dt Gda Jerry McCabe in the face of one of the most sickening attacks on servants of our State. RIP.
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) February 25, 2022
The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Daniel Butler, said the tricolour will be flown at half-mast outside council buildings as a mark of respect.
Mayor Daniel Butler said: “Ben O’Sullivan was a gentleman through and through. The way that he dealt with the aftermath of the attack on him and his partner Det. Garda Jerry McCabe was one of strength and dignity, qualities that he continued to have until his death.”
“Ben was seriously injured and his partner killed during the IRA attack in Adare in 1996, an incident which horrified the citizens of Limerick and the country.”
Detective Garda O’Sullivan was awarded the Freedom of Limerick in June 2018, along with a posthumous award for Jerry McCabe in recognition of his bravery and "as a token of the high esteem and affection in which he is held by the people of Limerick", the mayor said.
“Ben will be forever remembered for his quiet resolve and dignified determination as he coped with the death of his friend and partner, and began to rebuild his own life.”
“I would like to say ‘Thank you’ to Ben for his sacrifice and commitment in the line of duty. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”
Head of the Limerick Garda Division, Chief Superintendent Gerry Roche, said Mr O’Sullivan was “a true hero” who had served in the force “with distinction”.
“He was an inspiration to us all, and he went through a very hard time having been seriously injured (in Adare) and he made a great recovery. He was a double Scott Medal recipient, so he was a very, very brave man.” We extended our sympathies to his wife Anne and his son and three daughters at this time,” Chief Roche added.
A book of condolences has been opened at Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick city, and the tricolour at the Limerick Garda Headquarters is flying at half-mast as a mark of respect.
Mr O’Sullivan is survived by his wife Anne, a retired nurse, and his three daughters and son.
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