A GARDA who had been critically ill since being struck by a stolen car nearly two weeks ago has died from his injuries.
Garda Robbie McCallion died at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, yesterday afternoon surrounded by his family. The 29-year-old from Swinford, Co Mayo, was on duty in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, in the early hours of March 26th when he went to investigate a suspicious car.
When the occupants of the car saw Garda McCallion getting out of his own vehicle and walking towards them they tried to speed off. In the process they rammed him into a wall.
He was taken to Letterkenny hospital and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital. However, he never regained consciousness and his life support machine was switched off on Monday.
Those family members at his beside yesterday included his mother Nancy and his father Bob. Also present were the dead man’s brother John and his sisters Deirdre and Noirín.
Garda McCallion’s death was announced publicly yesterday at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) in Athlone, Co Westmeath. Delegates observed a minute’s silence.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy told delegates that the dead man had come from a family with a long history of service to the force. While his father was a retired garda and his brother was serving in Ballina, Co Mayo, his two uncles were retired superintendents.
Mr Murphy expressed his deep regret at hearing news of Garda McCallion’s death and extended his sympathy to the dead man’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Our thoughts today go out to the McCallion family. This puts everything into perspective.”
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern extended condolences to the McCallion family on behalf of the Government. He said the dead man’s family, friends and colleagues had shown “great fortitude” in recent days.
“While nothing can be expected to console them in their tragic loss, I hope that they can take some comfort from the fact that Robbie gave his life as a member of An Garda Síochána protecting the community he was so proud to serve in the best traditions of the force.”
Sgt Christy Galligan, who was the dead man’s senior officer on duty when he sustained his injuries, said Garda McCallion was “a fantastic young garda”.
“He was everything a garda should be. He was pleasant, hard-working, honest, never one to shirk his responsibility and never one to stand back.”
AGSI president Paschal Feeney said Garda McCallion had died while serving the people of Letterkenny. “We are grief- stricken by the death of this young garda in the prime of his life.”
Garda Representative Association president Michael O’Boyce said his association felt “sadness and sorrow” at Garda McCallion’s death. “It is a great tragedy that his life was cut short while he went about his duty serving the people of Letterkenny.”
News of the death was greeted with sadness in Swinford. Garda McCallion played for the Swinford GAA club at intermediate level.
Joe Mellett, who is chairman of Mayo County Council and a neighbour of the McCallion family, said the whole community was in shock.
“This is a blow not only to the McCallion family but also to the entire community. The McCallions are a deeply respected family. The sympathy of the entire town goes out to them.”
Canon Michael Joyce, patron of Swinford GAA club, said Garda McCallion travelled home every week from Letterkenny to train with his team-mates. He won a county minor club title with Swinford in 1997 and played inter- county football at under-21 level with Mayo.
A Leaving Cert student accused of dangerous driving causing serious harm to Garda McCallion has been given bail by the High Court in Dublin.
Jamie McGrenaghan (18), of Gortnacraw, Kerrykeel, is charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm to Garda McCallion at Tara Court, Letterkenny, on March 26th. He is also charged with unlawfully taking a car.
Cathal Dunleavy (19), of Meentagh, Glenvar, Kerrykeel, who is in custody, is also charged with unlawfully taking a car. He was on compassionate leave from Castlerea Prison – near the end of a nine-month sentence for petty crime – at the time of the incident.