Bruckless memorial event for Donegal Garda killed in action 100 years ago

A memorial event will be held this weekend for a Donegal garda killed 100 years ago.

A Mass, followed by an unveiling of a commemorative plaque, will be held at the Church of St Joseph and St Conal, Bruckless, this Sunday, May 5, at 2pm, to mark the death of Garda John 'Jack' Murrin.

Born in 1898 across the road in what is now known as ‘Mary Murrin’s’, he joined An Garda Síochána having previously worked in the family business as a merchant and served in the Irish Volunteers (1918-1922) and the National Army (1922-1923).

On May 6, 1924, Murrin and his colleague from the station at Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, Sergeant Thomas Griffin - from Greenmount, Cork city - worked as members of Ireland’s new unarmed Police force. Their mission was to apprehend a suspect for a shooting on the previous day at another unarmed member of An Garda Síochána in Killonerry, Co Kilkenny.

Both men were fatally shot by the suspect that day. Sergeant Griffin died from his injuries just 24 hours later and Murrin succumbed to his wounds five months later, that October.

They, along with other members of An Garda Síochana killed in this period, knowingly went out to police a country emerging from years of civil strife, a War of Independence and subsequent Civil War, knowing the mortal danger they faced but determined to provide an unarmed and accepted police service for their people.

Light refreshments will be served in the adjoining Community Centre in Bruckless on Sunday afterwards. Some of Murrin’s surviving relatives and members of An Garda Síochána will be in attendance. Everybody is very welcome to attend the event.