The hundreds of people who gathered in Ratoath, Co Meath last night for the removal of the remains of Det Sgt John (Sean) Eiffe were told his death had cast a "shadow of unspeakable sorrow" over the small parish.
Local curate Father Paul Crosbie officiated and told the family, friends and colleagues of the dead garda that he had been a "hero in the service of what is right and just". He said the man they all knew as Sean was a servant of justice and a martyr to the cause of peace.
Last Friday, December 7th, was a day that would be etched forever in everyone's mind. People the length and breadth of the country had been shocked to hear of a garda killed in the line of duty, and of a wife and family bereaved just weeks from Christmas, Father Crosbie said. For younger members of the Garda S∅ochβna and new recruits, the example set by Det Sgt Eiffe was one to be followed.
Speaking directly to the his family, Father Crosbie said the garda and his wife, Lorraine, were not just a married couple, but were the best of friends.
To the children, he said their father Sean had passed on his physical traits - his height and his good looks to his son Andrew - and had set them all an example to follow. To daughter Alison, Father Crosbie said her father was one of the few people he had known whose work was his "heart's desire". And to his youngest child, Rachel (2), he said she would grow up to hear stories of her father.
The flicker of candles on one of the many wreaths in the church offered at least a glimmer of hope and faith to the family that they would not be abandoned in their pain, the priest said.
There were candles, too, outside the church. Up to an hour before the body arrived from Dunshaughlin, accompanied by Garda outriders and a patrol car, people trickled into the church. As it filled to capacity, perhaps up to 1,000 people were left outside in numbing cold. Two garda∅ outside the gates saluted as the hearse passed.
Candles were distributed and Det Sgt Eiffe's colleagues and friends formed a guard of honour from the door of the church to the gate. As the cortege arrived at 7.10 p.m., the soft buzz of conversation, of neighbours and acquaintances remembering the garda, died to silence. Colleagues carried Det Sgt Eiffe's coffin into the church. Still more people arrived.
A female singer, to the accompaniment of a guitar, finished the service with a folk song which reduced many in the church to tears.
The queue of those wishing to pay their respects to Det Sgt Eiffe's wife Lorraine, children Andrew (15), Alison (12), Michelle (10) and Rachel (2) reached the church doors.
Det Sgt Eiffe is also survived by his mother Alice, his brother Brian and sisters Maeve and Catherine.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented by her aide-de-camp, Capt Michael Treacy. Also present were the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue; the Garda Commissioner, Mr Patrick Byrne; the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Maj Gen Jim Sreenan; and Minister for State Ms Mary Wallace, who is a local TD.
Mrs McAleese will attend Det Sgt Eiffe's funeral this morning. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will be represented by his aide-de-camp, Capt Ger O'Grady.