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Sad farewell for Buncrana garda
16.12.09
THE State funeral of
the young garda who died following a road crash near
Bridgend at the weekend has taken place in his
native Co Leitrim.
Twenty-four year old Garda Gary McLoughlin was laid
to rest in Fenagh Abbey Cemetery following midday
Requiem Mass at Foxfield Church.
A large congregation of up to 2,000 mourners
including hundreds of gardai and heartbroken
colleagues from Buncrana Garda Station joined Garda
McLoughlin's parents and siblings at the poignant
service.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern, Garda Commissioner
Fachtna Murphy, a representative of President Mary
McAleese and a member of the PSNI and were also in
attendance. |
Fr Bernard Hogan told
the congregation that Garda McLoughlin made "the
ultimate sacrifice" in the service of the community.
He said the young red-haired officer represented
"what is best in Irish society - compassion, care,
respect and a sense of moral duty".
Garda McLoughlin's 23-year old girlfriend Shauna
Bradley, a third-year student from Umricam,
Buncrana, carried up a Christmas gift she had
wrapped for him. She also read a poem Gary had given
her. An Arsenal football jersey, a model of a car,
and a local GAA jersey were |
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were also presented as
offertory gifts. Meanwhile, 23-year old Garda
Bernard McLoughlin who was injured in the same
incident, attended the service on crutches. To read
previous story,
click here . |
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