CHERISHED DAVID WAS A MUCH-LOVED FAMILY MAN
THE LATE GARDA DAVID HANNON IS LAID TO REST IN HIS NATIVE BRAY
THE late Garda David Hannon was ‘ the life and soul of every party,’ his sister Kirstie said this week.
‘He was a great man and that showed through the funeral,’ she said.
A native of Bray, Garda Hannon (32) was stationed in Mullingar, County Westmeath, and lived in Ballymore.
A large number of mourners attended his funeral at St Peter’s church in Bray last Friday before he was laid to rest at Shanganagh cemetery. Mullingar also came to a standstill in honour of the much-loved garda and GAA man, before he was brought home to Bray for the last time.
David died suddenly the previous Monday, to the heartbreak of his wife Treasa, their three children, his parents Carmel and Dinny, his sister Kirstie, grandmother Brigid, and all of his relatives and friends.
Growing up, David and his family first lived at O’Byrne Road, then Beech Road, and later moved to Bentley Park.
‘He was amazing,’ said David’s mother Carmel. ‘He would do absolutely anything for anybody. He was an amazing father who did everything for his kids and his wife. He loved Treasa very much.’
David and his wife were childhood sweethearts, together since the age of 16.
‘I only have one son, and he was the son I wanted,’ said Carmel. ‘He was everything to us, and never gave us an ounce of trouble.’
He always wanted to be a garda, even as a small boy, dressing up and telling his parents he would arrest them!
He excelled at St Cronan’s and later Presentation College in Bray, where he had great friends and got along well with the teachers.
‘Everything he did made me proud,’ said Carmel. ‘And he adored his sister. He was just brilliant.’
She said that the family will treasure their happy memories, such as David and Treasa’s wedding day in Spiddle.
‘ The love I have is unmeasurable,’ said Carmel. ‘I’m heartbroken.’
David’s father Dinny said that the family is very grateful to the gardaí, the communities of Mullingar and Bray, and everyone who has shown them such support and been so caring since they received the sad news.
Westmeath GAA paid tribute to the popular referee following the tragic news.
‘ The referee and member of An Garda Síochána was liked by all who met him and was a down-to-earth and sincere man,’ they wrote on their Facebook page.
‘ To his wife, children, extended family and large circle of friends and work colleagues, we extend our deepest sympathies.
‘David was well-known in Westmeath GAA circles having refereed in both hurling and football.
‘He was also emerging through the ranks of the inter-county scene, officiating at this year’s Leinster under-17 hurling championship clash between Dublin and Offaly
amongst other inter-county games.’
A minute’s silence was held at Cusask Park in Mullingar on Tuesday evening in David’s memory before the throw-in. He was due to referee the clash between Brownstown and St Brigid’s.
‘With David around, you can be certain that heaven will be a safer and better place,’ wrote Westmeath GAA.
According to David’s sister Kirstie, paying tribute to her brother on his Facebook page, he ‘was the life and soul of every party, the comedian and the entertainer.’
He was a wonderful big brother, who helped to teach his sister right from wrong.
At his funeral on Friday, members of Ballymore GAA provided a guard of honour as David’s remains were brought to Shanganagh.
Garda Scott Kahler told mourners at St Peter’s that Mullingar had given David a send-off that week ‘which neither Bressie nor Niall Horan will get’.
He said that David had a commanding presence, a compassionate nature, and was a capable and assured policeman.
He saved two lives in the town during his service as a garda. ‘I will be a long time lamenting his passing,’ said Garda Kahler.
WITH DAVID AROUND, YOU CAN BE CERTAIN THAT HEAVEN WILL BE A SAFER AND BETTER PLACE