Tribute to a hero - Family and society’s loss

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan had led in paying tributes to Garda Ciaran Jones, 25, who was drowned on Monday evening while alerting motorists to dangerous flooding at Ballysmuttan Bridge, near Manor Kilbride, Co Wicklow.

But no tributes can reflect adequately the public debt owed to this brave and dutiful young man who was cut down in his prime.

Our condolences go to his family. Their loss is society’s loss too.

His sense of duty was in the best traditions not only of An Garda Síochána but also of public service generally. The fact that he was “off-duty” at the time of his death makes his sacrifice all the more poignant, because in the true sense of his vocation, he was always on duty.

He saw a public danger and he lost his life in attempting to warn others of the peril. His dedication and commitment to duty reflect a professionalism that should be an inspiration for all citizens.