Former Claremorris garda and GAA player dies in Donegal

THE death has taken place of Brendan Martin, Parkhill, Ballyshannon.

The deceased had close connections with Claremorris.

A retired member of An Garda Siochana, Brendan was widely known for his work his great sporting pedigree over a long number of years.

A former Donegal county minor in 1971, Brendan played and won championships with a number of teams. He was on defeated Clanna Gael teams in the county finals of 1971 and 1972.

After a short time working in Magees factory after he finished school at Donegal Vocational School, he joined An Garda Siochana and spent much of his early service in Claremorrris.

While there he was on a Claremorris team that reached a Mayo county final.

He transferred back to his native Four Masters in the early 1980s and won two county championship medals in 1982 and 1984, the 1982 final being remembered in folklore for the goal he scored which won the match against Kilcar.

His work took him to Ballyshannon Garda Station where he spent most of his working life and he settled there and joined the local Aodh Ruadh club, winning two senior championship medals in 1986 and 1987. A remarkably strong physical player, he started out as a half-back but played most of his later years in the full-forward line.

He was very well regarded as a serving garda, carrying out his duties with a sense of community. His easygoing nature made him popular and he always had time to talk to people.

After he retired from An Garda Siochan, he was well-known in the area as a bus driver.

His death in his mid-sixties was received with great sadness, such was his popularity in his adopted area and around his native Towanwilly and Donegal town.

He is survived by his wife Peggy and daughters Amanda, Karen and Donna, extended family members and all his many friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

Burial took place in St. Agatha's Cemetery, Clar, Donegal town, after Requiem Mass today in St. Patrick's Church, Ballyshannon.