Creeslough’s Fr Duffy privileged to be at Garda Charlie Gallagher plaque unveiling

Father John Joe Duffy said it was a privilege to attend the unveiling of Garda Charlie Gallagher’s plaque and portrait at Donegal Town Garda Station.

Garda Gallagher, a former Four Masters members, and Donegal and Irish Masters (over-40) panellist, was being honoured at an event attended by several local dignitaries, including his wife, Mayor of Donegal Town, Anna Gallagher, and former Tánaiste and Chairperson of Donegal GAA, Mary Coughlan.

In July 2022, Garda Gallagher passed away a few months after receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Speaking to the large crowd in attendance, Fr Duffy said: “It is a privilege to be with Charlie’s family here today, and I have no doubt that Charlie is very proud looking down at you all.

“Anna is now the town mayor, and I am sure he is very proud of that, and what you do for the town hospice is highly commendable.”

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Proceeds from the event went towards Donegal Hospice, which won praise from Fr Duffy. TANHe commented: “You can’t say enough good things about the hospice. It is that care, compassion, goodness, and comfort in their consolation. You let people be very natural in themselves.”

Regarding his memories of Garda Gallagher, Fr Duffy remembered: “I was very fond of Charlie. I was one of the people who used to meet him in the Diamond and other places around the town. I remember meeting him when he was going on official duty from the station to post some summonses. The two of us got talking about football, and the next thing, the time window for posting the summonses almost ran out, so I could have saved somebody an extra day. He was in no hurry, but he realised he had to go in the last minute. 

“I think Father Pat Ward, who celebrated Charlie’s Funeral Mass, spoke about Charlie in such a glowing way when he said that with Charlie, justice was tempered with charity. That was true of his work, but I am not sure that was true with his play. He took no hostages there. He just loved sport.

“The power of his life was his family, and I remember you did him so proud in all that you did.

“It is lovely for this plaque to be unveiled here today, but a plaque is not needed for him to be remembered in the hearts of everyone who came into contact with him.”