Ballylongford pays emotional tribute to slain detective

THERE were emotional scenes in Ballylongford on Sunday last as the widow of slain Garda Jerry McCabe returned to her husband’s home village for a special unveiling in his honour.

Anne McCabe was joined by her children John, Mark, Stacy, Ian and Ross along with Gda McCabe’s sisters and brothers for the official unveiling of a plaque to mark the 20th anniversary of the killing of her husband by members of the Provisional IRA during a botched post office raid in Adare.

Following a procession by the Garda Ceremonial Unit from the church to the home on Bridge Street where Gda McCabe grew up, Anne McCabe revealed the stunning plaque which was designed by local craftsman, Paddy Fitzell.

Describing the event as an honour, she spoke with fondness of her cherished memories of visiting the north Kerry village with her husband and paid special tribute to her father-in-law, John (or Grandad as she affectionately called him) - telling those in attendance that he never got over his son’s death and died of a broken heart.

Also in attendance was Gda McCabe’s former colleague, retired Garda Ben O’Sullivan, who miraculously survived 11 bullet wounds on that fateful day.

He too remembered his treasured visits to Ballylongfornd with his former partner, likening them to ‘calling in home.’

Sunday’s event was organised by the McCabe family, the GRA, Kerry County Council and St Paul’s Garda Credit Union.

All photos by Eve Mazurek Family friend of the McCabes, Omar Fitzell, addresses the crowd at the unveiling of a plaque to Garda Jerry McCabe on Sunday. Mr Fitzell’s father, Paddy, designed the plaque which now takes pride of place on Garda McCabe’s family home on Bridge Street.

Anne McCabe officially unveils the plaque to her late husband

Anne McCabe with family members in Ballylongford on Sunday

Members of the Garda Síochána Ceremonial Unit in Ballylongford