Death of garda at checkpoint marks ‘desperately sad day’, says Commissioner

The Garda Commissioner has said the death of an officer at a speed checkpoint in Dublin marked “a desperately sad day” for the force.

Garda Kevin Flatley (49) died after being hit by a motorbike as he was recording vehicles’ speeds on the R132 at Lanestown on Sunday afternoon.

After the collision, involving a Yamaha R1 motorbike, an off-duty doctor came to Garda Flatley’s aid.

“All assistance that could be rendered was rendered as quickly as possible, but tragically, to no avail and Kevin passed away,” Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said.

President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris extended their sympathies and shock at the garda’s death.

The Commissioner said the dangers road policing officers faced were “just extraordinary” and that this marked the 90th death of a garda killed on duty.

He had served as a garda for 26 years and had been with the Roads Policing Unit since 2018.

He said Garda Flatley was a “very faithful public servant” who was “very professional, proficient” and his death was “a terrible loss for us all”.

“We’re all very, very shocked by this, and I don’t want to get drawn into the wider road safety debate, but this is just the very hard edge of it, when we have a Garda member killed in a road traffic collision,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for the Dublin Metropolitan Area Paul Cleary said Garda Flatley was “very much involved” in his local community and local GAA club in Balbriggan, where he lived.

“A very well-liked person, very well respected and a huge, huge loss to our Garda family.”

He said he and the Commissioner would likely speak to his family in the coming days.

He paid tribute to the gardaí and emergency service workers who attended the scene.

The motorcyclist, a man aged in his 30s, is understood to be in a serious condition in Beaumont Hospital.

Commissioner Harris appealed to anyone who saw the motorcycle from 12pm onwards to contact investigating gardaí and aid their inquiries.

An appeal for witnesses and those with relevant dash-cam or video footage has also been made.

The scene was preserved on Sunday pending a technical examination, with traffic diversions in place.

Commissioner Harris said he visited the site and remarked on the extent of the debris field.

Leading tributes on Sunday, President Michael D Higgins said Garda Flatley had “dedicated his career to public service and to keeping people safe”.

“The loss of a Garda has a deep impact on society due to this strong connection and my thoughts are with his family and all those who knew and cared for Garda Flatley across his life.”

Mr Martin said the death of an on-duty garda would be “keenly felt” by those who knew him, but also in communities across Ireland and by all gardai.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to all those in mourning following this terrible tragedy,” he said.

Tánaiste Mr Harris said Garda Flatley was “a long-serving and much-respected member” of An Garda Síochána, who was “devoted” to his job.

“There is no greater example of that than today when he was working to keep the public safe on our roads,” he said.

“It is also a tragic reminder of the risks that gardaí take everyday in the service of our country and its people.”

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher expressed his “heartfelt” condolences on behalf of the PSNI.

“The loss of an officer is felt across the entire policing family and our thoughts are with his family, friends and An Garda Síochána colleagues at this difficult time,” he said.

“Kevin’s death is a stark reminder of the risks that police officers face every day as they work to protect the public and keep people safe.

“His dedication, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said it was a “devastating and “dark day” for the Gardai.

“We are in shock and numbed at the news this afternoon,” AGSI general secretary Ronan Clogher said.

“No Garda shift is ever routine, but this one has ended in the most horrendous of circumstances.”

AGSI president Declan Higgins said support would be provided to gardaí and their families, as he appealed to the public to help with appeals for information.

“I would ask the public to respond to calls for any information as they work on this investigation.

“There will be tough days ahead and we really ask for the public’s support.”

Speaking generally about road safety in Ireland and not specifically about Sunday’s collision in Dublin, Mr Harris called for a societal “reset”.

Mr Harris said it was not an option to withdraw members from roadside speed detection duties.

“We have to keep our enforcement effort going,” he added.