A man who was a beacon of light and hope for so many laid to rest

Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire was brave, courageous and bold and shone a light into the darkest abysses of society an tAthair Brian Ó Fearraigh told those who gathered for the former detective garda’s Funeral Mass, in Gortahork, earlier today. 

He spoke of a man who loved his family dearly, who adored his wife, Bríd, his daughters Aoife and Cliodhna and who treasured his beautiful grandchildren. 

An tAthair Brian Ó Fearraigh was the main celebrant of the Mass. 

Hundreds attended the Funeral Mass to pay their respects to Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, or as he was known locally Martin Ridge, who had bravely spoken out about clerical sex abuse in the county, time and time again, a man who had been the voice of victims and when they couldn’t  find their voice they turned to Máirtín and he never let them down.

He was legendary and unwavering in his pursuit for justice. 

Máirtín was the author of the book Breaking the Silence and this book depicted how he and his colleague John Dooley had interviewed young men about clerical child abuse under the a shroud of darkness in some of the most beautiful and remote areas of our county. 

Today, an tAthair Ó Fearraigh wondered what these parts of our landscape would say of the brave garda if they too could speak? 

“They might tell of Martin Ridge, husband, father and grandfather for whom family life was so important. Fear, arbh é a chlann agus a mhuintir agus a chairde an chloch a bá mhó ar a phaidrín i dtolamh. Bhí an teaghlach millteanach tábhachtach dó i gcónaí. Bhí a chroí ‘s a anam, I dtús báire ina bhean, Bríd, agus ina dhiaidh sin ina theaghlach féin Aoife agus Clíodhna agus Jim, agus ansin ar ndóighe bhí a chroí istigh sna gár-phaistí uilig,  Ailbhe, Síofra, Danny, Daisy, Isabelle agus Ben. Bhí an teaghlach iontach closáílte da chroí.”

“The hills and valleys, the sand dunes and sea shores of west Donegal might recall Detective  Garda Martin Ridge, as he invited and listened to countless people and encouraged victims to share their story…as he appealed to hope, throughout those harrowing episodes of darkness and despair. When many others failed and even refused to act, even within the Church of Christ, who for too long, simply turned a complete blind eye, showing an abysmal and even cruel indifference for years. An Bleachtaire Mairtín Mac Con Iomaire always listened and acted, and became a beacon of hope, and support and encouragement and faith and freedom, not only to victims but also to their families, as he stood shoulder to shoulder with them, respected their life stories and experiences, and shone a light on a dark chapter of this community, our communities, county, and country’s shameful history. Mairtin Mhic Con Iomaire, who was brave, courageous and bold, even fearless in Breaking the Silence.”

The well known priest said that perhaps the hills and valleys, the sand dunes and sea shores of west Donegal, and even further afield may summon us all as a people, a community, a Church, a society, to be equally as brave, courageous and bold and standing on the shoulders of this good man, reach out, help one another to emerge from the shadows of the past, recognizing and acknowledging and not forgetting of course, past hurts and harms, faults, failings and traumas and to look forward to a future where all people are listened to and respected. 

The Derrybeg-based priest recalled a nineteen-year-old recruit, the seventh of ten children, who joined the ranks of An Garda Síochána on a cold December day in 1966. 

“Martin Ridge ..on being appointed a member of An Garda Síochána who solemnly and sincerely declared to faithfully discharge his duties as a member of An Garda Síochána with fairness, integrity with regard for human rights, diligence and impartiality, upholding the constitution and according equal respect to all people, the words of a declaration, the priest said, that Máirtín firmly adhered to.

The priest outlined an outstanding act of bravery carried out by Máirtín which featured on the front page of the Donegal Democrat in 1968: A young 21-year-old Garda, Martin Ridge, who being off-duty at the time, assisted Garda McGowan, rescue six young people from the sea at Rathmullan, who as the Donegal Democrat of the day reported; 'Martin Ridge of the Milford force, suffered cuts to his wrists, hips and legs as he clung desperately to Rathmullan Pier holding one drowning boy in his hands.” Bhí greim an fhír báite aige, tháinig Mairtín i dtarrtháil agus shábháil sé nuair a bhí gá lena leithid. Dar ndóighe, bheadh a leithid de chrógacht le feiceáil againn arís agus arís eile.'"  

An tAthair Brian also remembered a man who was deeply spiritual, who would often say his own prayers, a man who had a sense of humour, a man who sat in a corner known fondly as 'martin's corner' flanked by his landline, mobile phone and his remote control and spoke to countless people offering a helpful word of advice or listened in silence to what was being said. 

He reminded those present that Máirtín has not gone away from us but rather has gone ahead of us and said our greatest gift to him now is prayer. 

“God’s call to all of us is to be a Church of Justice, peace, inclusion, love, respect and of holiness. A wholesome Church that acts justly, loves tenderly, and walks humbly, not only with God, but with one another,” he said.  

Towards the end of the musical and moving Mass, Máirtín's brother, Tómas Rua Mac Con Iomaire, spoke. 

He described his brother as having outstanding integrity. He described a man loved his family dearly. He recalled being on the island of Inis Bó Finne and being asked if he was Máirtín's brother, I am, he replied. The two local man standing on the pier nodded and said: "He is a good man."

Mr Mac Con Iomaire said that their words stayed with him and were apt and fitting. 

He did admit that Máirtín may have had a deficit of patience and apparently was behind the door when that gift was being dispatched, he joked. 

He described his brother, who was direct, as not being a diplomat - his duty wasn't to be a diplomat, he said speaking in beautiful, seamless Gaeilge. 

He said his brother administered justice fairly and appropriately - in a balanced and fair manner - in the correct and right manner.

Máirtín's daughter, Cliodhna, recited a poem 'Scaffolding' by Seamus Heaney at the end of Mass. Heaney's poetry book was never from his bed in the Beacon Hospital, in Dublin. 

He was joined by the Parish Priest of Gort a’ Choirce, an tAthair Seán Ó Gallchóir, Father Martin Doohan and Father John Joe Duffy. Father Michael Herrity and Rev David Huss were also present in the congregation. 

Superintendent David Kelly was present alongside the sergeant of Falcarragh Garda Station, John Gallagher and Sergeant of the Gaoth Dobhair Garda Station John Joe McClafferty. Gardaí from local stations also carried out a Guard of Honour alongside the Falcarragh and Dunfanaghy Golf Club outside Teach Phobail Chriost an Rí.