Ceremony to mark 40th anniversary of deaths two Mayo gardaí

A SPECIAL ceremony will take place in Loughglynn on Tuesday, July 7, to mark the 40th anniversary of the deaths of Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne.

Forty years ago on that date, Det. Garda Morley and Garda Byrne, both from the Knock area, lost their lives in the line of duty at Shannon’s Cross outside Loughglynn.

They were responding to a call following a bank robbery in Ballaghaderreen when they were killed by raiders during an intercept.

Also in the car at the time were Garda Derek O’Kelly and the late Sergeant Mick O'Malley.

In conjunction with An Garda Síochána, a ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. next Tuesday at the memorial monument at Shannon’s Cross that honours the two brave men and marks the place where they tragically lost their lives.

This year’s ceremony will be taking place against the backdrop of government’s guidelines on Covid-19.

As part of the ceremony, church bells in Loughglynn, Fairymount, Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea will ring out at 2.20 p.m., the time of the tragedy on July 7, 1980.

To coincide with the event, the memorial committee is asking everybody to remember the two heroes and say a little prayer.

Next Tuesday, road closures will be in place from 1 to 3 p.m. to facilitate people getting to the monument and to avoid any traffic congestion or interruption to the ceremony. The committee apologises in advance for any inconvenience caused.

*Pictured, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan unveiling the memorial to Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne at Shannon's Cross three years ago.