‘A loyal colleague and friend’: Athlone mourns popular Garda

Up to 200 serving and retired members of An Garda Siochána formed a guard of honour at the funeral Mass of their much-loved friend and colleague, retired Superintendent Aidan Foley, which took place in St Brigid's Church in Drum on Saturday last.

A native of county Sligo, who made his home in Meehanbee, Drum, Supt Foley passed away on Tuesday of last week, September 3, having only celebrated his retirement from An Garda Siochána in June of last year.

During his 40-year stint in the force he had served in a number of Garda stations, among them Athlone, Tuam, Sligo, Westport, Longford, Carrick-on-Shannon and Castlerea.

Many tributes have been paid to the memory of the late Aidan Foley over the past week, with a spokesperson from Ballinasloe Garda Station, where he had served as a Superintendent since 2016, describing him as “a loyal colleague and friend,” and extending sympathy to his wife, Eleanor, and family.

A warm tribute was also paid by the Athlone Branch of the Garda Siochána Retired Members' Association (GSRMA) which recalled how he had arrived in Athlone from Templemore in 1983, “to commence his illustrious career,” and left again for a number of years before returning as a Sergeant, and then leaving again “to spread his wings”.

The tribute, which was posted by Mary O'Connor, Secretary of the Association, said his “wit, jovial nature and zest for life will always remain in our memories”.

The Mullingar branch of the GSRMA described their former Garda colleague as being held “in high regard by everyone,” while Galway Chief Supt, Gerard Roche, described him as “a fine proud member of the force who served his country well”, adding, “we owe him and his family a large debt of gratitude”.

The General Secretary of the Association of Garda Superintendents, Mick Comyn, described the late Aidan Foley as being “an integral part” of the National Executive Committee of the Association up to his retirement, and said he was “a loyal friend and colleague to members.”

The staff in Roscommon Court Office also paid a warm tribute to the memory of Supt Foley and said they had “many many happy memories” of working with him in courts in Harristown, Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen.

Buccaneers RFC was one of a number of sports clubs and community organisations to extend their their sympathies to the Foley family.

Other tributes described the father of three as being someone who “epitomised all that's good in An Garda Siochana,” a man who was “always helpful, obliging and courteous,” “a decent, dedicated, honourable and loyal person with a great sense of humour,” and a man who had “a smile for everyone”.

The late Aidan Foley is predeceased by his beloved parents, Con and Madge, and is sadly missed by his loving wife Eleanor, sons David and Stephen, daughter Ellen, sisters Mary, Rita, Gina and Geraldine, brothers Seán, Neilus, Gerard, Kieran and Gabriel, Ellen's partner Ryan, David's partner Kieran, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

His funeral Mass took place in St Brigid's Church, Drum on Saturday and was followed by cremation at Lakelands Crematorium in Cavan.

May he rest in peace.