Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

"He made an impression on everyone he met" - tributes to army officer killed in car accident

Lieutenant Colonel Jack Griffin was killed after being struck by a car near Thurles on Saturday afternoon.

Lt Col Jack Griffin (2) Lt Col Jack Griffin pictured on his wedding day in 2005 Ní Riain Photography Thurles Ní Riain Photography Thurles

THE DEFENCE FORCES have paid tribute to their colleague Lt Col Jack Griffin who was killed after being struck by a car on Saturday afternoon.

Lt Col Griffin (47) had been jogging on the Horse and Jockey road, just outside Thurles, in Tipperary when he was struck by a car driven by a 32-year-old man and carrying three child passengers.

All occupants of the car were uninjured in the incident.

“Lt Col Griffin epitomised the Defence Forces values and ethos,” a spokesperson told TheJournal.ie.

Those values of selflessness, loyalty, integrity, and moral and physical courage, Jack had them in abundance.
He had all the leadership traits that you would expect from an officer in the Defence Forces.

“It is just shocking, it really is,” Comdt Seán Ó Fátharta, a friend of Lt Col Griffin’s, told TheJournal.ie.

He was so very well known, our thoughts are all with Jack’s family, his wife and three little girls.
He really did make an impression on anyone he met, he had such a great manner about him.
He’s a huge loss to his family. It’s a loss that is felt across the defence forces.

Commissioned in 1988, Lt Col Griffin had almost 29 years experience in the Defence Forces.

A Physical Education graduate of the University of Limerick, he was heavily involved in training teams as a selector with his local club in Tipperary, Thurles Sarsfields, who recently retained their senior county hurling championship.

A former instructor at Ireland’s military college, Lt Col Griffin had vast experience of serving overseas. He saw three tours of duty in Lebanon, and was also based in the Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, and the Ivory Coast in Africa.

At the time of his death he was based in Brussels as part of the EU’s military staff from which he had been at home on a few days leave.

Lt Col Griffin was remembered at the annual ceremony for deceased members of the Defences Forces in Dublin yesterday.

His funeral will be held at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles at 1pm on Wednesday.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to Saturday’s tragic accident to contact them at Thurles Garda Station on 0504 25100, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line on 1 800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Read: Kayakers rescue man found floating in sea off Clare coast

Read: Petrol bomb thrown at gardaí as they came to aid of firefighers

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Flavin
    Favourite Mike Flavin
    Report
    Nov 2nd 2015, 12:03 PM

    Very sad for all concerned. Three kids now having to grow up without their dad and the poor kids in the car at the time of the accident. Just sad for all involved.

    212
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james dignam
    Favourite james dignam
    Report
    Nov 2nd 2015, 2:02 PM

    An absolute gent of a man.. he was a captain when I joined the army back in 97.. sad day for the 3rd battalion and his family and friends. . RIP

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laura Doherty
    Favourite Laura Doherty
    Report
    Nov 2nd 2015, 12:54 PM

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. RIP.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen
    Favourite Karen
    Report
    Nov 2nd 2015, 1:39 PM

    Ar dheis de go raibh anam

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hazel Lenihan
    Favourite Hazel Lenihan
    Report
    Nov 2nd 2015, 9:10 PM

    Really Jack? Do u not think the driver of the car is feeling bad enough for what happened without fools like yourself making such a statement. I’m sure the driver didn’t set out on his journey with his kids in the car with the intention to knocking somebody down and killing them. Don’t go making stupid statements unless u know the full facts

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Noonan
    Favourite Catherine Noonan
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2015, 3:10 PM

    Well said Hazel..he too was a gent. Sad for all involved. None of their lives will ever be the same again. God love them all xx

    12
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds