Tributes paid to late Gerard, keen GAA fan and family man, who passed away recently
The untimely recent death occurred of Gerard Mc Carrick, late of Castleknock, Dublin and originally from Ballyglass, Cloonacool.
The eldest of nine children of the late John Martin and Peggy, Gerard never forgot his Cloonacool or County Sligo roots. On finishing his primary education in Carnaleck School, Gerard secured a hard-won scholarship for secondary school in St Mary’s College, Dundalk.
Having successfully completed his studies there, he secured employment and worked for a few years at what was then called Achonry Creamery. At that time, the early 1970’s - various creameries amalgamated including Achonry creamery to form the fledgling North Connacht Farmers Co- Op (now known as Aurivo). It was Gerard (though barely 20 years old at that stage) who thought out and set up a milk supplier coding system, a system which has stood the test of time and is still in use today, 45 years later.
Gerard joined the Garda Síochána in 1972 and after training in Templemore, he was assigned to Donegal where he proudly served in several stations until 1978. Gerard displayed exemplary bravery and commitment to his duty, and it was not long before these special qualities were recognised by his superiors. He was asked to join the Special Task Force in Dublin, a role which took him to Monaghan on promotion in 1986, then back to Garda Headquarters where he spent the remainder of his career. Gerard worked with EU and other international agencies on policing and security matters, until his retirement in 2011 in the position of Detective Inspector.
As a young adult, Gerard was a fine Gaelic footballer and was instrumental along with others, in establishing the Tubbercurry GAA Club as one of the leading club teams in Sligo in the late 1970’s and 80’s. By 1974 Tubbercurry had gone a lonely 17 years without winning a trophy. However at this time a new generation of players emerged to win the senior league, with Gerard at midfield.
In 1976 Gerard was captain of the senior team who against the renowned and dauntingly star-packed St Mary’s GAA Club won the county senior championship. That win was the springboard for a golden era in Tubbercurry’s GAA history which lasted for the next 20 years. Gerard also represented Sligo between 1976 and 1978 in numerous league and championship campaigns but his intercounty career was cut short due to work commitments. He continued to play with Garda teams and went on to coach in Dublin at different levels, instilling a love of GAA in a new generation.
Gerard was a great family man and this was evident when his dad John Martin died suddenly in 1976. He became the head of the family and took on this role with ease.
Gerard’s love of fast, colourful and sporty cars was evident from an early age and lifelong friends remember him driving gold, silver, yellow and red Capri and Cortina models.
While all relations and friends will miss Gerard, his loss will be most sorely felt by his beloved wife Brenda, son Alan and daughters Louise and Lorna. Gerard is also survived and missed by his brothers and sisters, Mary, Roger, Margaret, John, Noel, Nora, Martina and Anne, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and many friends and former colleagues.