THOSE WHO do their duty “come between us and chaos”, Bishop of Achonry Brendan Kelly said at the State funeral of Garda Robert McCallion in his home town of Swinford, Co Mayo yesterday.
Defining true courage as fulfilment of that duty, Bishop Kelly expressed his deep sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the 29-year-old garda who died a week ago of injuries sustained when he was hit by a reversing stolen car at Tara Court in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on March 26th.
More than 600 members of the force led by the Garda Band accompanied Garda McCallion’s coffin on its final journey through the south Mayo town, followed by a Garda vehicle towing a trailer laden with floral tributes.
Mourners were led by his parents Bob and Nancy, sisters Noirin and Deirdre, brother John and girlfriend Maria O’Donnell.
“Finally, Robbie, you’ve got your transfer back to Mayo – you’re welcome home,” his brother had told the congregation before the burial procession to Kilconduff Cemetery.
Robert McCallion was a person who had “touched the lives of others in so many different ways”, Swinford curate Fr Derek Gormley, the main celebrant, said in his homily at the funeral Mass in the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians.
“Words can sometimes seem inadequate, can sometimes not fully describe or sum up or express how one should feel,” Fr Gormley said. “I was struck by a line President Obama used last week in a speech he gave. He said words should mean something, words have to mean something.”
Describing how the garda’s parents had felt “overwhelmed,grateful and proud” at their community’s response over the past three weeks, Fr Gormley said that the death of a person in the prime of their life raised “unanswerable questions”, challenged the “very meaning and purpose of life” and taxed “our faith”.
“Even though we all knew Robert was seriously ill and that he was getting the best of treatment and attention in Beaumont Hospital, yet his death shocked and stunned all of us here today,” he said.
Fr Gormley recalled how he first met Robert at the baptism of his niece, Sarah, and how he was a young man who “really did let his light shine before others”. He was known to have provided great support to neighbours, offering lifts to those who had suffered bereavement, cutting lawns and even bringing people to his own family home for a meal.
“Robert always seemed to have a smile on his face that showed his ease and comfort around people. He was a man who enjoyed his social occasions,” he said.
His passion for GAA was such that he had represented Swinford for 21 years, having taken up football as an under-10 player.
“Robert even returned two days before to train with the lads and said afterwards to his manager that he never felt as fit or as ready for a season to begin,” Fr Gormley continued.
He said the community also remembered Jimmy Reddington, another young garda from the area who had died tragically in Tipperary last year, and whose anniversary Mass had been held in the parish yesterday morning. Thoughts were also with the family of PSNI officer Stephen Carroll, who was killed in Craigavon on March 9th.
Addressing the congregation, which spilled out of the church and down the approaching hill, Garda John McCallion said he had always thought he would be speaking as his brother’s best man. “Instead, I find myself making a speech here today that Robbie is the best man,” he said.
He expressed thanks on behalf of the family to all those who had provided support and care, including the staff of Letterkenny and Beaumont hospitals and emergency services, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
Each family member cast a red rose into the grave at the burial, and the Tricolour draping the coffin was presented to Garda McCallion’s mother by Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy.
Concelebrants were Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry and Bishop Philip Boyce of Raphoe, Canon Michael Joyce of Swinford parish and a number of clergy.
President Mary McAleese was represented by Capt Niamh O’Mahony ADC, and Taoiseach Brian Cowen was represented by Comdt Michael Treacy, ADC. Dr Martin McAleese was among the congregation of several thousand.
Also attending were Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, Deputy Garda Commissioners Nacie Rice and Martin Callanan, Department of Justice secretary general Seán Aylward, and PSNI Chief Supt Gerry O’Callaghan, who was also representing PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde.
The Garda Ombudsman Commission was represented by Paul Hanna.
The Defence Forces chief of staff was represented by Comdt Brendan McNally, and the judiciary was represented by Judge Conal Gibbons, Judge Kevin Kilraine and Judge Mary Devins.
The Garda Representative Association was represented by its president, Damien McCarthy, and general secretary PJ Stone.
Politicians present included Fine Gael leader and Mayo TD Enda Kenny, former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte TD, and Fianna Fáil Donegal North-East TD Dr Jim McDaid.
