IN SPITE of the tragedy of his misdiagnosis, Garda Supt Martin Dorney showed great dignity, courage and nobility in fighting his battle with cancer, mourners at his funeral Mass in Co Cork were told yesterday.
Canon Donal Lenihan, parish priest of Ballinora, said that Supt Dorney had always believed in forgiveness and he had faced his illness with “great courage and nobility”.
His comments were echoed by Chief Supt Michael McGarry, from Carlow-Kilkenny division, in a eulogy in which he recalled how 51-year-old Supt Dorney had faced up to his illness over the past few years.
“Although Martin was extremely sick in the last few years of his life, he showed great dignity and integrity throughout his illness – his continuous strength and perseverance throughout his illness should act as a continual reminder of the great man he was,” he said.
Supt Dorney died at his home at Waterfall near Cork city on Friday following a two-year battle with cancer after his GP failed to spot a medical report recommendation that Supt Dorney should undergo further investigation following the removal of a mole in 2003.
Yesterday, Chief Supt McGarry recalled Supt Dorney’s prowess as a footballer, which earned him an All-Ireland Under-21 football medal with Cork in 1980, as well as his great love of fishing, before speaking about his devotion to his family and his dedication to his job as a garda.
“Although he was an industrious and exemplary officer, he was also a deeply committed and devoted father and husband and indeed anyone who knew Martin knew he was a warm-hearted and loving father who took great pride in his children.”
Leading the mourners at the funeral Mass at St James Church in Ballinora, near Waterfall, were Supt Dorney’s widow, Paula, and the couple’s three children, Aisleigh, Niamh and Ciarán, as well as his siblings, Mary, Nuala and Séamus.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan led a large contingent of gardaí paying their respects and he was joined by recently retired Garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy and Deputy Garda Commissioner Nacie Rice.
Other senior officers who attended included Assistant Commissioners Fintan Fanning, Dermot Jennings, Willie Keane, Kevin Ludlow, John O’Mahony, John Twomey, and senior administrative officer John Leamy.
Also present were former assistant commissioners Adrian Culligan, Michael McCarthy and Al McHugh, as well as Chief Superintendents Michael Finn, Tom Hayes, Kieran McGann, Dave Sheahan and Pat Sullivan; Det Chief Supt Tony Quilter and former chief superintendents Dermot Dwyer and Liam Hayes.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Michael O’Connell, also attended, as did the Bishop of Cork and Ross John Buckley.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe and Cork East TD Ned O’Keeffe had earlier attended Supt Dorney’s removal.