Sgt Donie Kelleher, RIP.

The late Sgt Donie Kelleher

The news announced on Saturday morning last of the passing of retired garda sergeant, Donie Kelleher, gave rise to expressions of shock and sadness.

A native of Tralee, where his father, Dan was a serving garda, Donie was widely respected, for his service to the state, and through his involvement in both cycling and photography, activities that occupied much of his post retirement life.

Having followed in his father’s footsteps, Donie served initially in Enfield and Athboy before transferring to the National Detective Unit in Dublin.

In 1983, the young detective was engaged in the search operation for kidnapped Quinnsworth executive, Don Tidey.

While Mr Tidey was finally rescued after 23 days, the joint garda/ army operation was marred by the deaths of young trainee Garda Gary Sheehan and Pte Patrick Kelly from Moate.

Donie had encountered the suspects in the course of the intense search and was shot in the knee.

It was a matter of some regret to Donie’s colleagues that, in 2021, when officers involved in the successful rescue operation were presented with Scott Medals, the injured detective was not among the recipients.

While the powers that be failed to recognise his courage, Donie was immensely proud of the friendship which developed between him and Mr Tidey in the years following his ordeal.

Having returned to duty, Donie was promoted to the rank of sergeant, serving first in Castletown Geoghegan and then Rochfortbridge before his final move to Mullingar, where he headed up the Traffic Corps until his retirement in 2009.

Never one to let the grass grow, Donie enjoyed an active post-career lifestyle. Cycling became a passion and he quickly endeared himself to a new band of colleagues, travelling the highways and byways.

In order to record his many exploits, Donie rarely, if ever, left his home without his camera. His regular Facebook postings chronicled his latest adventures and were enjoyed by many.

His accomplished photographic skills were not confined to cycling matters, and he was an ever present at community based events to record important moments.

Unfortunately, on Saturday last, Donie’s Facebook was activated for the final time, to convey the desperately sad news that his brave but brief joust with illness had come to a peaceful conclusion.

Donie will be sorely missed by his adored wife, Caroline, son, Daniel, daughter, Lesley, beloved grandchildren, Mae, Billy and Danny, his sisters, Marie, Margaret and Jackie, brother, James, in-laws, extended family circle, former colleagues and a legion of friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Donie will be laid to rest today, Tuesday, following his funeral Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Rochfortbridge at 11am, followed by internment in the adjoining cemetery.