Hero Kevin was 'a family man & a great guard'

Officer had an 'unconditional positive regard' for all

- CATHAL RYAN and MICHAEL O'TOOLE

GARDA Kevin Flatley and his sister who died more than a decade ago have been reunited in heaven and are now watching over their family together, his funeral service heard yesterday, The officer's friend and colleague Garda Rosanna Caul told thousands of mourners at his requiem Mass in his adopted hometown of Balbriggan in north County Dublin: "Kevin was devastated by the passing of his sister Elaine, sadly passing away in 2014.

"Kevin was dedicated in keeping the memory of his sister Elaine alive. They are now reunited in heaven and are the family's guardian angels" The Church of St Peter and Paul was packed out and more than 1,000 people viewed the ceremony on giant screens outside -including hundreds of fellow gardai from all over the country.

The Mass for the 49-year-old member of the Garda Dublin Roads Policing Unit was held five days after he was killed while on duty in north Dublin.

Garda Flatley, who served in the force for more than 26 years, died after he was struck by a motorcycle while mounting a speed check near Swords.

His funeral, attended by President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and other senior officers, also heard the officer was one of the most helpful men you could hope to meet.

Garda Flatley, originally from Newcastle, Co Dublin, had served in An Garda Siochana for 26 years and had been with the Dublin Metropolitan Region Roads Policing Unit since 2018 when he lost his life. The biker involved in the incident was left seriously injured - and was still in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital last night.

Garda motorcycle colleagues of Garda Flatley, a dad-of-two, from the Roads Policing Unit were among those who formed a long guard of honour outside the church as the hearse arrived.

FLAG

Two members of the Garda led the cortege, one carrying the Irish national flag and the other, the flag of An Garda Siochana.