‘I PUT BEREAVED FIRST ALWAYS’

CORK CITY CORONER LEADS TRIBUTES TO KERRY GARDA TIM TWOMEY ON HIS RETIREMENT

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular and well respected Kerry-born garda for his professionalism and empathy in dealing with bereaved families attending inquests in Cork as he steps down this week after a 35 year old long career in An Garda Siochana.

Cork City Coroner, Philip Comyn led the tributes to Kilgarvan native, Garda Tim Twomey for his work in ensuring the smooth running of the Cork City Coroner’s Court which hears over 200 inquests year at the Washington Street Courthouse.

Mr Comyn said that Garda Twomey, who was based at Bishopstown, had been an integral part of the coronial system in Cork for the past 14 years, working with both himself and his predecessor, Dr Myra Cullinane with efficiency and courtesy at all times.

“He plays a very important role, not only in the operation of inquests, but also in the helping of families and public attendance, doing so with great kindness and empathy and he is always available to explain to families what is happening,” said Mr Comyn.

Garda Twomey also helps prepares the files and arranges the attendance of witnesses as well as assisting juries hearing cases and as such he played a pivotal role in helping to ensure the efficient running of the coronial system in Cork city.

Mr Comyn recalled that Garda Twomey was a native of Kilgarvan and had the usual distinction for a Kerryman of holding several intermediate county hurling medals with his native club which keeps the flag flying for hurling in the south of the county.

“He is also reported to have played football for Kerry in Croke Park and as we know in Cork, Kerry men never exaggerate about their football skills,” quipped Mr Comyn who also noted that Garda Twomey was also no mean hand when it came to playing the bodhran.

“Now that his time with us here at the Cork City Coroner’s office is coming to an end, I would like to wish him a happy retirement and wish him and his wife, Marie, many years of happiness with their children, Ciara, Luke and Eva,” said Mr Comyn.

Sgt Fergus Twomey, who presents evidence on behalf of the State at each Cork city inquest, said he wanted to wish his colleague well on his retirement on his own behalf and on behalf of Chief Supt Barry McPolin who heads up the Cork City Division.

He said he first met Garda Twomey in 2005 and had worked closely with him when he began presenting evidence in inquests in 2012. “Tim is a true professional and has been a great ambassador for my organisation He epitomises all that is good about An Garda Siochana.”

Garda Twomey joined An Garda Siochána in 1983 and served in Store Street and Shankill in Dublin, before moving to Togher in Cork and then 16 years ago to Bishopstown Garda Station where because of its proximity to Cork University Hospital, he took over inquest related duties.

Garda Twomey, who dealt with in- quests into several high-profile tragedies in the Cork area, including the Manx2 plane crash in Cork Airport in 2011 and the Tit Bonhomme trawler accident in Union Hall in 2012, said he always tried to put the families of the deceased first.

“The cases involving children and babies were the undoubtedly saddest but every case before the coroner’s court is a tragedy for the family involved and they are the most important people on the day of an inquest and you have to do your best to try and put them at their ease.”

Garda Tim Twomey at his place of work in Bishopstown Station and, above left, with his mother Rose at the warm gathering marking his retirement in Cork City last week.