Garda Remembrance Medal (RTE picture)

A new name has been added to the Garda roll of honour. It’s that of Detective Garda Adrian Donohue, shot dead during a robbery at Lordship near Carlingford in County Louth in January. At a ceremony on Saturday (May 18th) at Dublin Castle, his widow Caroline received a special medal in his honour. The presentation was made by Justice Minister Alan Shatter, during the annual Garda Memorial Day. Mr Shatter said the brutal murder of Adrian Donohoe was an unspeakable crime and life-changing for his family.

Detective Garda Adrian Donohue

“The addition of Adrian’s name to this roll of honour brings to 87 the number of members who have been killed in the line of duty. It is 87 too many”, the Minister said. He added that the government had expressed their revulsion and deep sadness and on theirs and on his own behalf he extended again his condolences to the detective’s family and to all members of An Garda Síochána.

Garda commissioner Martin Callinan said Adrian Donohoe’s murder was still very raw in their memory and rested very heavy in their hearts. “It is at difficult times such as this that we experience the true meaning of the extended police family through the unending support and overwhelming solidarity offered,” he said. He added that it was tragic that Garda Donohoe’s name had been added to a roll of honour that continued to get longer.

Detective Garda Donohoe, aged 41, was the first member of the Gardaí to be shot dead on duty since the murder of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996. The getaway car used by the robbery gang was found by the PSNI burnt out in a forest near Keady, County Armagh, days after the killing. Police on both sides of the border have carried out searches and have issued a number of appeals for information.

Memorial at Garda HQ