Minister unveils memorial to heroic Mayo gardaí

JUSTICE Minister Charlie Flanagan has today unveiled a memorial at Shannon's Cross, Loughglynn, Co. Roscommon, in honour of gardaí Henry Byrne and John Morley who were fatally wounded following a bank robbery in Ballaghaderreen 37 years ago.

John, a detective garda, and Henry, a uniformed officer, both from the Knock area of Co. Mayo, received fatal gunshot wounds on July 7, 1980, when they came upon armed raiders who had earlier robbed the Bank of Ireland in Ballaghaderreen.

John (37), who played Gaelic football with Mayo, and Henry (29) were both married with families.

Their widows, Frances and Ann Marie, as well as their families, attended the ceremony.

In his address, the minister paid tribute to the courage of both men who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the course of carrying out their duties.