Jerry McCabe's son among new recruits

31/07/2008 - 15:41:30
A son of Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead by the IRA, today graduated as one of 300 new recruits into the force.

The slain detective’s widow, Anne, said he was looking proudly down on his son Ross on a day of mixed emotions for the family.

“It is a very proud day although it’s tinged with a bit of sadness,” she said.

Jerry McCabe was gunned down in Adare, Co Limerick in June 1996 during an attempted post office robbery by an IRA gang. Ross, who graduated at the Garda College, in Templemore, Co Tipperary, is following his brother as well as his father into the ranks of the force.

Another son, John, is a sergeant serving in Ennistymon, Co Clare. Ms McCabe said she was very proud of her sons.

“But it’s not just about Ross today, it’s about each and every woman and man here who have chosen this wonderful career,” she said.

“He’s (Jerry) up there looking down at us and very proud of him.”

Ross, 27, will be stationed at Gurranabraher in Cork.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, officiating for Justice Minister Dermot Ahern, attended the ceremony, at which 286 recruits graduated into the force.

Among them were 85 women and 201 men.

The Commissioner’s Medal, awarded to the student achieving the highest marks in academic subjects was presented to Garda John Horkan from Mayo.

The Gary Sheehan Memorial Medal, commemorating a garda recruit killed on duty in Co Leitrim in December 1983, was presented to Garda Declan O’Keefe from Co Cork for the best-all round student.