President Higgins praises An Garda Síochána at memorial service

President Michael D Higgins has laid a wreath at a memorial service to rededicate a monument to Garda members who have died in service.

The President joined Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at the event at Garda headquarters in Phoenix Park in Dublin.

The refurbished Garda Monument of Remembrance features the names of more than 1,800 gardaí and Garda staff who died while in service since the founding of the Irish police force in 1922.

Family members of some of those Garda personnel whose names are inscribed on the monument attended Saturday afternoon’s memorial service.

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President Higgins recalled the history of the force, which grew out of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and was widely distrusted by large sections of the Irish population, especially during the War of Independence. Unlike the RIC, An Garda Síochána was an unarmed police force from the beginning.

“From that complex history, and indeed informed by it, emerged a police service to which we have been able to entrust our safety.”

The President added that the death of a garda in the line of duty affects the whole community, but a death while in service is no less devastating to the family involved.

“It is that willingness to give beyond the self, to earn trust in the broader sense of serving the community, that I believe is the strength of An Garda Síochána. It is a tradition not simply or narrowly of coercive control, but of community support and service.”

Addressing the service, Ms McEntee spoke of the tragedy of the lives lost, and the pain still felt by their families and colleagues.

“I realise that the act of remembering can be difficult and painful for some,” she said.

“I know too that the pain and sense of loss from the death of a loved one, especially a younger person, never fully leaves any of us.

“This memorial is not just a list of names. Each person was a much-loved son or daughter, a father or mother, a brother or sister, a friend and colleague, a wife or husband.

“Though tinged with sadness, this day and this memorial can also be a source of huge pride and joy.

“I hope, for all of you here today, this is an opportunity to remember the best of times.”

Mr Harris said the event provided an opportunity to commemorate the lives lost.

“Their lives meant so much to so many,” he said.

“I hope that every day as we pass this monument that we think of those whose names are inscribed here.

“I also hope that it will prompt all Garda personnel to think of our own service and the crucial role we all play to keep people safe”. - Additional reporting: PA