The funeral service for John O’Driscoll, a distinguished former deputy commissioner of the Arda and esteemed Irish patriot, witnessed a large gathering of mourners. O’Driscoll, who served with courage, dedication and a unique sense of humour, retired from the Garda’s Organised and Serious Crime bureau in 2022 at the age of 64. Apart from his professional achievements, including his work with US law enforcement to impose sanctions on the Kinahan cartel’s leadership about two and a half years ago, O’Driscoll was known for his unwavering family loyalty.
His sudden demise occurred on the previous Friday. O’Driscoll, originally from Dublin, always held a profound fondness for west Cork, his parents’ homeland. This sentiment was shared at the funeral mass held at St. Brigid’s Church in north Dublin’s Killester region.
The eulogies offered to O’Driscoll on a virtual condolence registry were too numerous to be recited entirely. However, a few words painted a picture of his outstanding service. One tribute thanked him for his relentless work for Dublin, describing him as ‘brilliant’. Another mentioned his innate sense of duty matched with exceptional courage.
O’Driscoll’s wife, Muriel, read a celebrated poem, ‘The Fallen Limb’, at the service. Their son, Seán, delivered a speech about his father’s life and expressed the family’s overwhelming gratitude for the support and tributes they had received following his sudden departure. Reverend Joe Kennedy and the Garda’s chaplain Archdeacon of Dublin, David Pierpoint, officiated the funeral mass.
In 1985, the Mont Clare Hotel in Dublin was where his parents first met. His father always recounted that from the moment he first laid eyes on her, he knew she was the one he’d marry. He and his siblings, Michelle and Laura, felt quite fortunate to have such a supportive father. He was kind, affectionate, and generous, and always willing to go the extra mile for them without ever asking for much in return. On the night preceding his sudden death, he had insisted on staying awake until early morning to pick up Laura, his daughter, a short distance away due to the rain.
As his daughter recalled, he was in high spirits, talking animatedly about the upcoming launch of his memoir at the end of the month. He was excited to reunite with his closest friends and ex-colleagues in one place at the event.
Brian, his brother, characterized him as an exceptional policeman and public servant. Brian added that his posthumously published book, ‘On Duty: Reflections on a Life in the Guards’ would serve as a suitable tribute to his life.
Among the congregation at his funeral were Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Deputy Commissioner Shauna Coxon, several assistant commissioners and a large number of Garda personnel from various ranks. Nora Owen, a former minister for justice, and ex-Garda commissioners Fachtna Murphy and Martin Callinan were also present.
From the Garda Ceremonial Unit, Mrs O’Driscoll was presented with a tricolour flag, which had rested on the coffin, and his Garda gloves and hat. Aide-de-camp to President Higgins, Col Stephen Howard was there, with Taoiseach Simon Harris being represented by his aide-de-camp Comdt Karen Rynn.
Among the items brought to the altar included a wedding photo, a family snap from a recent holiday, a picturesque photo of west Cork, a book detailing the Garda’s history, a dog lead, a FitBit and Mr O’Driscoll’s badge from Sage, a company he had recently worked for, voicing the concerns of the elderly.
Mr O’Driscoll’s previous workmates formed a ceremonial guard as his body was moved for interment at St Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton. Furthermore, the Garda Band made a performance.