Detective Garda Jerry McCabe has missed out on knowing five of his six grandchildren.
But his widow Ann said this week that the men who killed him, were “no longer part of our lives and I won’t speak of them”.
At the announcement of a charity concert being held to mark the 20th anniversary of her husband’s murder during an attempted robbery of a post office van in Adare in June 1996, Â Mrs McCabe said that “life goes on” for herself and her children.
“You never forget but the members of the force have been a huge support as has Ben (O’Sullivan) who is living his own life now as well as he can and I have wonderful family and wonderful children and grandchildren. The people of Limerick have also been an unreal support to me”.
She also revealed that there will a plaque unveiled to commemorate her late husband in his native Ballylongford in County Kerry.
She still attends monthly meetings in Dublin of a support group for family members who have lost loved ones in the line of Garda duty.
“That is a help and support to all of us,” she said.
Also present for the announcement in Henry Street Garda Station on Tuesday was the late Jerry McCabe’s former partner, Det Gda Ben O’Sullivan, who was seriously wounded in the attack by members of the Provisional IRA.Â
“I cannot believe it has been 20 years. I remember it as if it was 20 days ago”, he said.
He thanked Superintendent Derek Smart and the rest of the members of the concert committee “for remembering Jerry. We should never forget the atrocity of that day”.
Supt Smart announced details of the concert, which will be held in the University Concert Hall on May 26 starting at 8pm.
He said the concert would be to show that the force will not forget Det Garda McCabe and it would also be a celebration of his life”.
Among the charities in Limerick which will benefit are Adapt House, Milford Care Centre and the Laura Lynn foundation.
Among the special guests will be the Garda Band and the Limerick Gospel Choir while comedian Brendan Grace will travel from the United States specially to perform. Tickets at €20 are on sale now from the UCH box office.
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