Tributes paid in wake of sudden death of ‘compassionate Garda’
BY RONAN JUDGE
A 40-YEAR-old Galway man who died suddenly last week has been remembered as a compassionate and excellent Garda “held in the highest of esteem".
Garda Diarmuid Ó Tuairisg died at University Hospital Galway last Saturday after falling ill at home in Castlegar.
The 40-year-old, originally from Indreabhán, was married to Tara, and the father of three young children
Leading tributes at Galway District Court, Judge Adrian Harris said he had just been informed of the very sad news of the death of Gda Ó Tuairisg and offered his deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.
He described as "tragic" that someone could pass away so young.
Judge Harris said Gda Ó Tuairisg was "an excellent Garda, held in the highest esteem" by his colleagues, the judicatory, all members of the legal community and everyone who knew him.
Offering his sympathies to Gda Ó Tuairisg's wife and young family, Judge Harris said, "Words fail me. My heart and soul and thoughts and prayers go out to them".
Colleagues of the Galway-based Garda were deeply shocked and saddened by the news of his death.
Gardaí formed a guard of honour at Galway Garda Station on Monday afternoon in memory of their late colleague.
He is the second member in the Galway Garda division to die in the space of a month following the death of former Roscommon footballer, Don Connellan (51), who passed away following an illness.
Sergeant Christy Browne said Gda Ó Tuairisg was a very active member of an Garda Síochána, someone who was "utterly professional and compassionate" and members of his unit were taking it "particularly hard".
"You'd have to go a long way to get a charge (from Gda Ó Tuairisg) and if you deserved the bounce of the ball, you got the bounce of the ball," he added.
Sgt Browne said his deepest sympathies went to Gda Ó Tuairisg's young family.
On behalf of Galway solicitors, Sean Acton said he was "absolutely shocked" to learn of Gda Ó Tuairisg's death.
He said that as an adversary in court, the 40-year-old was "extremely fair".
"I'm in shock. My colleagues are in shock. Our condolences to Tara, their children and his family," Mr Acton added.
Barrister Garry McDonald, on behalf of the Law Library, said Gda Ó Tuairisg was a "gentleman" to deal with and showed equal empathy to victims and accused persons.
Tributes were also paid to the late Don Connellan, the Galway-based Garda who died last month.
Sgt Browne recalled Don as a "very special Garda" and how both of them entered Templemore training college on the same day.
He said he would also be remembered for his time as a Roscommon footballer and what he achieved with his adopted club, Moycullen.
A moment's silence was observed in court for both men.
■ Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Pictured: The late Diarmuid Ó Tuairisg.