A socially distanced wreath laying ceremony is to take place in Adare, Co Limerick, on June 7, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the IRA killing of Limerick Detective Garda Jerry McCabe.
As garda investigations continued in Dublin into an unrelated shooting of two gardai on Tuesday night, senior gardai in Limerick met to finalise arrangements to officially mark the fatal shooting of Det Gda McCabe.
Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, a small gathering will be permitted in Adare, attended by the McCabe family, senior gardai, and a representative of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association (GSRMA).
A bugler from the Garda Band is expected to perform The Last Post in honour of the fallen Limerick special branch officer, who was a native of Co Kerry.
The father of five will be also remembered at a mass on June 6 at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish church, Ennis Road, Limerick.
Detective McCabe was gunned down by a six-man IRA gang, and his partner, Det Gda Ben O’Sullivan was seriously injured, as they escorted a cash mail van being driven by Limerick postman Willie Jackson who escaped injury.
The escort was ambushed outside Adare Post Office next to the garda station, on June 7th, 1996.
Four of the gang served jail for manslaughter, while two others are still wanted by gardai for questioning.
Despite being hit 11 times in the sudden hail of gunfire from the gang, Detective O’Sullivan survived the atrocity, and he is also expected to attend next month’s ceremony.
Both are recipients of the Freedom of Limerick and Scott Gold Medals for exceptional courage and heroism in their service to the State and it’s citizens.
Speaking today, Detective McCabe’s eldest son John McCabe, who is a Garda serving in Shannon, said: “It’s hard to believe it’s 25 years, it really only feels like yesterday.”
“It was marked at 20 years, and gardai wanted to mark it again this year, because a lot of Dad’s friends and colleagues have either passed away in the meantime, so a lot won’t be around in another 25 years, so it is nice to mark it,” John McCabe said.
“The garda family always comes through, it’s tight-knit, thousands have supported us,” he added.
Detective McCabe was also one of 89 officers who have died in the line of duty in the State, that were remembered at the Annual Garda Memorial Day held at Dublin Castle last Saturday.
Detective McCabe’s widow, Ann McCabe, watched from her Limerick home for the second consecutive year due to restrictions on attendance at the event due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I did watch it at home and I have to say it was a very moving to watch it and to not be able to go there. It is a well deserved ceremony for all the gardai who gave their life in the line of duty,” Mrs McCabe said.
“It was so well done and I’m very proud of all the members of An Garda Siochana, the Garda Band, it was just so moving for me, as I’m sure it was for every other member and all the other families that were watching; it’s just unfortunate we couldn’t be there due to the circumstances.”
