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List of Gardaí killed in the line of duty

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Memorial in Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park
Memorial in Dublin Castle gardens
The Garda Síochána Memorial Garden, Dublin Castle
Roll of honour at the Garda Museum; it only lists names up to 1940.

This is a list of Garda officers killed in the line of duty since the establishment of the Garda Síochána in 1922. The list includes all Gardaí who were killed in the service of the state (accidentally and unlawfully), as per the official Garda Síochána Roll of Honour.[1][2] The list does not include members of previous police services or other law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Ireland, nor those in Northern Ireland.

At least 23 serving Gardaí have been killed by individuals or groups associated with the Republican paramilitary groups,[3] this being the most common cause of death apart from accidents.

The most recent death was that of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who was killed in June 2020, becoming the 89th member of the force to die on duty. [4]

Garda Síochána Roll of Honour

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Note: Coloured rows denotes when officers were killed in the same incident.

Name Rank Reg. No. Age Date of death Circumstances Location
Colm Horkan Detective 26225M 49 17 June 2020 Murdered after being disarmed and shot with his own service pistol, during an incident on a mobile anti-crime patrol[5] Castlerea, County Roscommon
Tony Golden Garda 29909L 36 11 October 2015 Murdered while attending a domestic dispute by dissident republican Adrian Crevan Mackin, who also shot and critically injured his partner before taking his own life[6] Omeath, County Louth
Adrian Donohoe Detective 26222F 41 25 January 2013 Murdered by a criminal gang with links to dissident republicans during a credit union robbery Jenkinstown, County Louth
Ciaran Jones Garda 34104E 25 24 October 2011 Accidentally swept away and drowned during floods while trying to warn motorists of the danger Kilbride, County Wicklow
Gary McLoughlin Garda 31917A 24 12 December 2009 Unlawfully killed after the vehicle he was pursuing rammed his vehicle intentionally Bridgend, County Donegal
Robbie McCallion Garda 31285A 29 7 April 2009 Killed after being hit by a vehicle driven by fleeing suspect he and colleagues were attempting to apprehend while stealing another vehicle Letterkenny, County Donegal
Brian Kelleher Garda 23037E 46 25 February 2007 Accidentally killed by a vehicle while directing traffic away from the scene of an accident, fireman Michael Liston also died Foynes, County Limerick
Paul Colleran Garda 26973E 27 5 March 2003 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision travelling from court to Garda station Kinnegad, County Westmeath
Michael John Padden Garda 27477A 27 14 April 2002 Killed in a vehicle collision attempting to intercept the vehicle of a robbery suspect Stillorgan, County Dublin
Tony Tighe Garda 17644C 53 14 April 2002 Killed in a vehicle collision attempting to intercept the vehicle of a robbery suspect Stillorgan, County Dublin
John Nicholas Eiffe Detective Sergeant 22294A 40 7 December 2001 Shot dead in a friendly fire incident during an arrest operation for the Garda National Surveillance Unit Abbeyleix, County Laois
Desmond John Dixon Detective 23363C 40 15 November 2001 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on duty for the Garda National Surveillance Unit Dundalk, County Louth
James Brendan McIntyre Garda 26361C 29 22 April 2001 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on mobile patrol Ballyvolane, County Cork
George Brendan Rice Garda 22336M 44 22 April 2001 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on mobile patrol Ballyvolane, County Cork
Conor Oliver Griffin Garda 27489E 25 15 May 2000 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while responding to a callout Finglas, County Dublin
Garreth Noel Harmon Garda 26650G 28 15 May 2000 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while responding to a callout Finglas, County Dublin
Ambrose Fogarty Garda 26178E 27 26 September 1999 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while responding to Gardaí in distress Enniscorthy, County Wexford
Richard Joseph Nolan Garda 21244L 42 26 September 1999 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while responding to Gardaí in distress Enniscorthy, County Wexford
Andrew John Callanan Sergeant 22477D 36 21 July 1999 Set alight with petrol by deranged man who entered a Garda station, suffering fatal wounds Tallaght, County Dublin
Eoin Peter Fitzgerald Garda 26158M 25 26 January 1998 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on patrol Blackrock, County Dublin
Jeremiah Desmond McCabe Detective 15860G 53 7 June 1996 Vehicle rammed, shot dead by Provisional IRA members during a cash-in-transit robbery Adare, County Limerick
Paul Michael Reid Detective Sergeant 20655E 39 18 May 1995 Suffered fatal injuries after being shot at by a sniper, causing him to crash the vehicle he was driving (on duty with the United Nations Protection Force) Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Michael Joseph Lawless Garda 17751B 41 20 January 1993 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while en route to a union meeting Cliffoney, County Sligo
William Anthony Roche Garda 21738G 33 1 August 1992 Accidentally killed by a vehicle while investigating a road traffic collision Newbridge, County Kildare
Declan Roe Garda 23595D 29 13 July 1992 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on road patrol New Ross, County Wexford
John Edward Linehan Garda 24015L 29 9 June 1992 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on official motorcycle training Tullamore, County Offaly
Joseph F.X. Wilkinson Garda 13716B 52 14 February 1990 Accidentally killed in a road traffic incident while transferring a prisoner Cashel, County Tipperary
John McMahon Garda 15062B 47 27 January 1990 Accidentally run over while on foot investigating criminal damage Carlow, County Carlow
David Brian Dowd Garda 22762E 26 18 February 1989 Accidentally killed when hit by a train while pursuing thieves on foot Sutton Park, County Dublin
Cyril Patrick Hickey Garda 24131H 25 8 December 1988 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while riding a motorcycle for the Garda Traffic Corps South Quays, County Dublin
Noel Martin Conroy Garda 19207D 36 28 October 1988 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on official motorcycle training with the Garda Traffic Corps Birr, County Offaly
Patrick Joseph Morrissey Sergeant 14545K 49 27 June 1985 Murdered by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) following a bank robbery Ardee, County Louth
Frank Hand Detective 20594L 26 10 August 1984 Ambushed and killed by the Provisional IRA while on cash escort duty for the Garda Special Branch Drumree, County Meath
Gary Sheehan Recruit 23589L 23 16 December 1983 Fatally shot during the Don Tidey kidnapping by the Provisional IRA, Private Patrick Kelly (Irish Army) also killed Ballinamore, County Leitrim
Denis Alphonsus Connolly Garda 20676H 25 11 July 1983 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on duty with the Garda Traffic Corps Lemybrien, County Waterford
Declan Francis O'Connor Garda 21517A 24 17 May 1983 Accidentally died after a road traffic incident on his motorcycle escorting a motorcade Ballygall, County Dublin
Thomas J.A. Lawn Detective 21096L 27 27 April 1983 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on duty for the Garda Special Task Force Clontarf, County Dublin
Patrick Noel McLoughlin Sergeant 14679L 41 11 April 1983 Murdered at his home during the night by an assailant who fired from outside Dunboyne, County Meath
John Joseph Brennan Sergeant 16595F 37 4 August 1982 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision on patrol Naas, County Kildare
Nathy Cawley Garda 16262M 37 24 February 1982 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while in a military explosives convoy Broomfield, County Monaghan
Patrick Ruttledge Garda 17003H 34 24 February 1982 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while in a military explosives convoy Broomfield, County Monaghan
Patrick Gerald Reynolds Garda 21281D 23 20 February 1982 Fatally shot by an Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) gunman after investigating a report of suspicious activity Tallaght, County Dublin
James Gerard Downey Garda 20018B 26 12 February 1982 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while en route to specialist training Blackrock, County Dublin
Seamus Quaid Detective 13497G 42 13 October 1980 Shot dead by a member of the Provisional IRA during an exchange of gunfire after stopping a vehicle containing explosives Cleariestown, County Wexford
Henry Gerard Byrne Garda 18300H 28 7 July 1980 Shot dead by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) following a bank robbery Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon
John F. Morley Detective 15543H 37 7 July 1980 Shot dead by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) following a bank robbery Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon
Michael Augustine Clerkin Garda 18189G 24 16 October 1976 Killed after entering a premises boobytrapped (IED) by the Provisional IRA, other colleagues seriously injured Portarlington, County Laois
Michael Joseph Reynolds Garda 17673G 30 11 September 1975 Shot in the head (off-duty) after following an armed gang who had robbed a bank Killester, County Dublin
Walter James Hennelly Garda 18137D 22 13 May 1974 Accidentally struck down and killed by a vehicle at a road checkpoint Limerick, County Limerick
John Martin Lally Garda 17992B 21 5 May 1973 Knocked down and killed while on foot at a checkpoint Dundalk, County Louth
James Doody Garda 16116M 28 7 January 1973 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while responding to an emergency Cork, County Cork
Brian A. MacNeill Garda 12689F 42 23 October 1972 Accidentally killed after being hit by a vehicle while conducting a roadside checkpoint Charlestown, County Mayo
Samuel Donegan Inspector 8586 60 8 June 1972 Killed by an IED laid by the Provisional IRA during a Garda/Defence Forces cross border search Near Wattlebridge, County Fermanagh (Northern Ireland, United Kingdom)
Patrick Waters Sergeant 10114 45 18 November 1971 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while responding to an emergency call Sligo, County Sligo
Richard Christopher Fallon Garda 9936 43 3 April 1970 Shot dead by members of Saor Éire during a bank robbery Arran Quay, County Dublin
Seán Masterson Garda 14676E 28 26 January 1970 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision on a motorcycle while on traffic duty Naas Road, County Dublin
Michael Joyce Sergeant 6587 62 21 December 1967 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while en route to apprehend a fugitive Balbriggan, County Dublin
John Michael Fitzsimons Sergeant 10543M 33 15 March 1963 Accidentally stuck down and killed by a vehicle while investigating a road traffic collision Monasterevin, County Kildare
John Flynn Detective 10445M 32 16 November 1961 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while escorting a prisoner Daingean, County Offaly
Thomas Michael O'Driscoll Garda 10698 26 22 January 1958 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on counter-IRA patrol Redhills, County Cavan
Vincent Ryan Garda 10094 29 18 September 1954 Accidentally killed in a road traffic collision while on motorcycle traffic duty Killiney, County Dublin
Patrick Foley Garda 8786 56 11 November 1953 Accidentally killed by a vehicle while on foot patrol Ardnacrusha, County Clare
Richard Cody Sergeant 1315 55 8 April 1952 Accidentally killed by a vehicle while on pedestrian duty Tullow, County Carlow
Seán Gantly Chief Superintendent 4804 49 21 January 1948 Shot dead accidentally during a search by detectives for escaped prisoners, was head of Garda Special Branch Dublin Docklands, County Dublin
James Byrne Garda 7779 38 25 September 1946 Shot dead while on plainclothes protection duty by a fellow officer, who was convicted of murder Pallasgreen, County Limerick
Denis Harrington Garda 4034 44 17 April 1944 Shot dead by a fellow officer in his Garda station, who then killed himself (murder-suicide) Nenagh, County Tipperary
George Mordaunt Detective 6712 45 24 October 1942 Shot dead during a raid on an IRA safe house by Garda Special Branch. An IRA member was subsequently executed for his role in the shooting.[7] Donnycarney, County Dublin
Michael Walsh Detective 6658 41 1 October 1942 Shot dead attempting to apprehend a wanted criminal in a house raid Kilnaleck, County Cavan
Denis O'Brien Detective Sergeant 8288 43 9 September 1942 Ambushed and assassinated by the Anti-Treaty IRA at home because of his work for the Garda Special Branch Ballyboden, County Dublin
Richard Hyland Detective 8333 36 16 August 1940 Shot dead by members of the Anti-Treaty IRA during a Garda Special Branch raid Rathgar, County Dublin
Patrick McKeown Detective Sergeant 11919 (DMP) 39 16 August 1940 Shot dead by members of the Anti-Treaty IRA during a Garda Special Branch raid Rathgar, County Dublin
John Gerald O'Donnell Garda 6481 35 19 July 1940 Accidentally drowned after saving two girls from drowning at sea Ballybunion, County Kerry
John Roche Detective 4905 34 3 January 1940 Shot dead after stopping and attempting to question a member of the Anti-Treaty IRA on the street St. Patrick's Street, Cork
Patrick Forde Sergeant 5802 30 18 January 1934 Accidentally drowned after the vehicle left the road following a patient transfer Connemara, County Galway
Michael Joseph Kennelly Garda 1408 38 18 January 1934 Accidentally drowned after the vehicle left the road following a patient transfer Connemara, County Galway
Eugene McCarthy Garda 7912 25 8 January 1933 Accidentally drowned after rescuing a person from a river George's Quay, County Cork
Patrick McGeehan Detective 7794 28 14 February 1932 Fatally wounded after attempting to shield Patrick Reynolds from assassination while on close protection duty Ballinamore, County Leitrim
John David Curtin Superintendent 783 28 21 March 1931 Ambushed and assassinated by members of the Anti-Treaty IRA for his work combatting them Tipperary, County Tipperary
Timothy O'Sullivan Detective 6670 32 11 June 1929 Suffered fatal injuries following an IED explosion, which was set as a targeted trap Knock, County Clare
William Nolan Garda 11369 (DMP) 33 19 August 1928 Accidentally killed by a vehicle while directing traffic on foot Stillorgan, County Dublin
James Fitzsimons Sergeant 2566 23 14 November 1926 Murdered in his Garda station by members of the Anti-Treaty IRA Cork, County Cork
Hugh Ward Garda 5663 29 14 November 1926 Murdered in his Garda station by members of the Anti-Treaty IRA Hollyford, County Tipperary
John Alphonsus Murrin Garda 3919 26 19 October 1924 Fatally shot by an individual while entering a premises to investigate a shooting incident (died some months later) Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary
Thomas Griffin Sergeant 814 25 6 May 1924 Fatally shot by an individual while entering a premises to investigate a shooting incident (died soon after) Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary
Arthur Nolan Detective 11993 (DMP) 39 11 March 1924 Struck over the head with a hatchet in his Garda station on 29 February 1924 by an intruder and died on 11 March, worked for Dublin Metropolitan Police Pearse Street, County Dublin
Patrick O'Halloran Garda 651 27 29 January 1924 Shot dead at point-blank range pursuing armed criminal bank raiders Baltinglass, County Wicklow
James Woods Sergeant 2358 23 3 December 1923 Murdered in his Garda station after resisting an armed raid by insurgents Scartaglen, County Kerry
Henry Phelan Garda 1347 21 14 November 1922 Murdered in a sports shop by armed Anti-Treaty IRA intruders Mullinahone, County Tipperary
Charles Eastwood Civic Guard 1017 19 20 September 1922 Accidentally shot dead by a colleague Ship Street Barracks, Dublin

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "An Garda Síochána Roll of Honour List" (PDF). 2010. An Garda Síochána. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  2. ^ "Garda Siochana Roll of Honour". 2013. Police History. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Terrorism". Dept of Justice and Equality. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Garda killed in shooting tragedy named as Detective Garda Colm Horkan". The Connaught Telegraph. 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Murdered officer was 'one of nature's gentlemen'". BBC News. 21 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Garda killer Adrian Crevan Mackin cremated in Belfast". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 17 October 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2019. Dissident republican murdered Garda Tony Golden in Co Louth last week
  7. ^ "TG4 documentary on O'Neill execution". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 27 April 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
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