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GARDA KEVIN FLATLEY, who was killed during a routine speed enforcement last week, has been described as a great garda, a family man and someone who “left no stone unturned” at his funeral mass in Dublin this afternoon.
Many senior political figures and high-ranking garda officials attended St Peter and Paul’s Church in Balbriggan, including President Michael D Higgins, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
Fr Dan Joe O’Mahony, Parish Priest in Blanchardstown who was a friend of Garda Flatley when he worked in the district, delivered the mass.
Garda Flatley, 49, was killed during a routine speed enforcement check on the R132 at Lissenhall near Swords in north Dublin. It is believed he was attempting to stop the motorcyclist when the collision happened.
A funeral cortege made its way from McNallys Funeral Home, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan to the church this afternoon.
The Garda Ceremonial Unit dressed Garda Flatley’s coffin with the tricolour, a garda cap and ceremonial gloves at the beginning of the funeral this afternoon.
Symbols of life for Garda Flatley included a fiddle, a hurley, and an O’Dywers GAA club top and jersey, of which the garda was a member of. A colleague of Garda Flatley also delivered a chocolate bar for him.
Some books, including a Holy Bible which Garda Flatley read to his children from, were also brought to the front of the alter.
Following the Gospel, Fr Dan Joe said: “The whole world at the moment knows about Garda Flatley, Garda Kevin Flately.”
He described the traffic guard as “one of the most-helpful men you could meet”, adding that he got to know Garda Flatley well during community police initiatives in the Blanchardstown and Dublin 15 area.
Fr Dan Joe said Garda Flatley was a “respected” by those in the communities of Mulhuddart, Corduff and Castleknock, who were said to see him leave to attend the roads policing unit in Dublin city.
Garda Flatley “left no stone unturned” during his work, the priest said, adding that he was a “great coach, a family man and a great garda”.
Pointing to ten commandments, drafted by the Vatican, for driving, Fr Dan Joe said: “We as human beings are asked to share the roads. We have to show prudence and courtesy on the roads [...] courtesy pays, good friends.”
He added: “We should encourage the young and not so young not to drive when it is not safe to do so.”
Balbriggan Parish Priest Fr John McNamara welcomed mourners this afternoon, which include representatives from An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Irish Defence Forces and members of the local community.
“On behalf of our parish, we extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family and friends,” Fr McNamara said to Garda Flatley’s wife Úna, daughters Erin and Aoife, mother Breda and father Michael.
A colleague of Garda Flatley in Blanchardstown, Rosanna, who was described as a close friend to Kevin, said his focus was “on helping people” and was always the first to offer help to the communities it worked in.
In sport, while being a major fan of the Dublin Senior Hurling team, Garda Flatley put an emphasis on participation and community over winning, Rosanna said. She added that Kevin’s family thank all who helped him on the day of his passing and in the days after.
“Kevin’s family and friends are truly greatful for the privilege of having shared a life with him. Kevin’s memory will never be forgotten. He is forever in his children’s, family’s and friends’ hearts. He will always be cherished by those who knew him,” she said.
The mass is followed by a private family burial in Newcastle, Co Dublin.
Commissioner Harris said he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of Garda Flatley describing it as “a terrible reminder of the dangers faced by Gardaí”.
A private garda memorial service was held at Dublin Castle on Monday.
An Taoiseach also paid tribute to the garda this week, hailing the “courage and dedication” of serving gardaí.
With reporting by Keith Kelly
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