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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

'We are devastated' - friends, family and colleagues remember Adrian Donohoe

Among the mourners at St Josephs Redemtorist Church in Dundalk today was Ann McCabe, the widow of murdered Garda Jerry McCabe.

HUGE CROWDS GATHERED at St Joseph’s Redemtorist Church in Dundalk today for the funeral mass of murdered garda Detective Adrian Donohoe.

Among the mourners were An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, President Michael D Higgins, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and Ann McCabe, the widow of murdered Garda Jerry McCabe.

The victim’s brothers Colm and Alan expressed their thanks to the wider community for its support and sympathies, something they described as both “comforting and humbling”.

Describing the family as “devastated” by the “senseless and tragic loss” of their brother, they also thanked the victim’s widow, Caroline Donohoe (pictured, below) for making Adrian “the happiest and proudest husband and dad.”

Ann McCabe in Dundalk today. (Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

Commissioner Callinan also thanked the “thousands of people” who expressed their sympathies by queuing up at garda stations across the country to sign Books of Condolences.

He said the force’s resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice was “strengthened”.

“No words can adequately express the great sense of loss and revulsion of the Donohoe family, the family of the Garda Síochána and the wider public in learning of the cold-blooded murder last Friday night.”

(Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

Thousands of members of An Garda Síochána assembled for today’s service, as well as huge crowds from the local community.

The crowd heard of Detective Donohoe’s commitment to his local GAA Club, St Patrick’s, and included in the offertory procession was the club jersey and a football.

The Chief Constable of the PSNI Matt Baggott (pictured, below) also attended the mass.

(Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

The Dáil and Seanad adjourned for several hours to allow Ministers, TDs and senators to attend the funeral.

(Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

President Michael D Higgins led the condolences to the family following this afternoon’s service.

(Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

Read: Priest calls for ‘reflection on need for further policing’ at Garda funeral

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52 Comments
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    Mute Boy Russell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:18 PM

    Now let the search begin. I really hope that the perpetrators are caught sooner rather than later and sentenced harshly for this.
    The widow and family of Detective Donohue must do their own mourning now as the greater public carry on into tomorrow’s news. It just doesn’t bare thinking of where his family must be right now.
    RIP.

    725
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    Mute David Kernan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:25 PM

    40 year manditory minimum if the DPP brings murder charges. It will be a travesty if they end up being charged with manslaughter. Gardai are expected to go out and deal with the worst in society, the least we can do is ensure that killing a garda carries such repercussions that it’s just not worth it for any criminal.

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    Mute Steve Murphy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:29 PM

    Who ever was responsible should get the death penalty

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    Mute laura leogue
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:58 PM

    They’l be charged with murder, if they all knew at least one was carrying a gun then they’ll have contemplated the consequences and that fulfils the mens rea requirement so yeah liable for murder! Just gotta find them now

    71
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    Mute Ronandusty
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:26 PM

    They need to throw the book at these lads when they are caught. The judge should set a precadent and jail them for the rest of their lives. Time to change the rules for the better.

    307
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    Mute Karolyn Cassidy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:43 PM

    I’ve been dreading seeing this because I knew I’d get teary eyed. I’m heartbroken over the whole thing. What’s next? Are they going to shoot everyone who gets in their way of their ATM/escort raids, civilians, children? If they can shoot a guard in the face, why wouldn’t they shoot a crying child in the face? What’s worse is these cowards are still out there, eyeing up their next raid no doubt in some rural community, ready to kill whoever is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lets hope its none of us. RIP Adrian, you will always be remembered.

    296
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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 8:27 PM

    I just hope the perpetrators were watching the thousands of Gardai in Dundalk today. I hope they’re sick to their stomachs with the knowledge that none of those Garda will rest until those murderers are pulled from their beds, put before a judge and thrown into a cell for the rest of their lives. I hope their last thought before they go to sleep tonight is that those Gardai are coming for them.

    92
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    Mute Karolyn Cassidy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 8:43 PM

    Vincent, my fiancé is a plain clothes guard in dublin and deals with these everyday, trust me when I say they do not give a sh!t, they have no remorce whatsoever because they don’t have the conscience u or I would have. This was an ambush, they had the bullet in the guards head before he even went to work that evening. They blocked the entrance so the guards couldn’t drive out, only one was in the car at that time. The other 4 were hiding behind the wall and as soon as Adrian got out of the car to approach them, they pulled the trigger aimed straight for his head. He had no chance and these $cumbags think their the big gangsters now and not to be messed with. Time will tell and I dream of the day their sentence starts.

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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 10:04 PM

    @karolyn- I’m not relying on their conscience. I don’t think they’ll feel bad. What I do hope is that they sense the net tightening around them. Because it is.

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    Mute Karolyn Cassidy
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    Jan 31st 2013, 12:01 AM

    I hope so Vincent :)

    16
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    Mute gareth richardson
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:46 PM

    Like everyone I am filled with revulsion that a member of the Garda Siochana has been killed in the line of duty. The people of Louth are rightly indignant at the terrible crime inflicted on their community. However, nearly 20,000 people voted for Gerry Adams in the last general election in the same constituency that detective Gda Donoghue s murdered Adams has softened his tone in recent years. However, he and his party refused to condemn the murder of Gerry McCabe in the 1990′s. The people in Louth that voted for Adams and indeed Arthur Morgan before him should know that they are voting for people in the past who have carried similar and even wicked deeds against people all over this island. Just because this act was seemingly carried out by a thuggish gang does not give Gerry Adams or anyone else the high ground. The murder of a Garda whether now or in the past is unforgivable and an attack on us all. The people in Louth who voted for Adams in the past would do well o remember this next time around.

    252
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    Mute youdontknowme
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:48 PM

    Agreed but not being insulting people have short memories unfortunatly

    92
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    Mute marylou o donnell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:04 PM

    can you let Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and Labour voters know they are doing the same thing, ie voting for terrorist parties?

    Thanks.

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    Mute michael o'toole
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:22 PM

    @ gareth richardson:
    don’t know why you tried to turn this thread into ‘a party political broadcast’
    regearding the next General Election – my guess is that you will be disappointed
    my guess is that SF will gain & FG/Labour will lose, in comparison to the last GE.

    25
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    Mute Stephen Kearon
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    Jan 30th 2013, 7:52 PM

    Well said Gareth, the hypocrisy of Adams is really breath taking

    54
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    Mute Seamus Fitzgibbon
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    Jan 30th 2013, 9:11 PM

    I agree. Anyone who has ever voted for Sinn Féin or supported the IRA should hang their heads in shame this week. Sinn Féin/IRA also murdered members of An Garda Siochana over the last 40 years. As much as they wish it did, time does not change this fact.

    43
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    Mute Bri_Shiels
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    Jan 31st 2013, 1:28 AM

    Is it possible for FF’ers to not try to cash in on this till at least next week ffs.

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    Mute youdontknowme
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:47 PM

    Such a tragic day for police, family and community. Should be law that if you shoot a guard protecting the community or a paramedic or firefighter. You should never ever ever be allowed to see natural sunlight again.

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    Mute Michael Russell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 4:10 PM

    Well Said.

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    Mute Bernadette Dunne
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    Jan 30th 2013, 5:01 PM

    And Prison Officers and Nurses all front line staff that have to put up with aggression on a daily basis. R.I.P. Detective Garda Adrian Donohue
    There is not Death Penalty here in Ireland there used to be but was lifted about 25/25 Years ago and instead of the death penalty they now have a 40 Year sentence but no one has served that as yet because of the the Good Friday agreement
    But if there was the Death Penalty who would carry it out I know what most will say “I’ll do it gladly ” but that is what makes us different is that decent folk would find it very difficult to actually arry out the execution where as the sc¥m that murdered Detective Garda A.Donohue did it without a thought

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    Mute Martin Mullen
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    Jan 30th 2013, 5:55 PM

    The reason that most countries don’t have the death penalty is because of potential miscarriages of justice, not because there is nobody willing to carry out the role of executioner. For example, had the UK kept the death penalty on the statute books, you can be pretty sure that the Birmingham Six and the Guilford Four would all have been executed. Instead, it later transpired that they had been the victims of a miscarriage of justice. I wouldn’t describe this as “a lucky escape”, but the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.

    53
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    Mute moneymaid
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:00 PM

    Can’t agree more with you on this.
    We need harsher laws to protect our front line workers.
    RIP

    63
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    Mute Michael Russell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:54 PM

    Some very moving photos. Such a sad day.

    104
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    Mute Winston Teardrops
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    Jan 30th 2013, 4:29 PM

    Need PSNI’s help here big time.

    88
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    Mute Les Rock
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    Jan 30th 2013, 4:58 PM

    I can imagine their involved Winston.

    30
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    Mute johnny
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    Jan 30th 2013, 7:47 PM

    For what?

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    Mute Seamus Fitzgibbon
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    Jan 30th 2013, 9:05 PM

    Because those cowardly scúmbags are hiding out in Northern Ireland and it’s this sort of policing cooperation that will get them sooner rather than later.

    33
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    Mute johnny
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    Jan 30th 2013, 9:47 PM

    Thankfully that cooperation is there and may i add that it was great to see psni officers today in uniform. Sorry if question seemed arrogant wasnt meant to be

    28
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    Mute Mike Brennan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:00 PM

    Dreadful remarks there. Gerry
    McCabe’ s widow’s looks or marital status have absolutely nothing to do with this. She is there to lend support to this Garda’s family. It may be of some comfort to his family to see someone who has come through a similar ordeal. For you to comment on the appropriateness of her choice to console this family is a bit much. I

    78
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    Mute Úna O Connor Barrett
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    Jan 30th 2013, 4:25 PM

    Was Shatter at the funeral

    35
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    Mute Alan Rothwell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 7:29 PM

    According to the news I heard earlier, he was.

    24
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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 9:10 PM

    Just saw Shatter there as per RTE news ! Brass neck he has !

    25
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    Mute Tara Phelan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:49 PM

    How come in the one article you can manage to keep spelling his name incorrectly?!? It’s Donohoe not donohue!!

    31
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    Mute Boy Russell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 3:59 PM

    @Tara Phelan – Let’s not get stuck in the nitty gritty spell check/punctuality & grammar game. There’s a family with no father/husband today. These are the real things happening.
    I’m sure he’d be delighted to be standing tall today!
    I can’t stand people it when people skip over the important matter to try to sound clever, if not overly!

    166
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    Mute Eamonn Bolger
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    Jan 30th 2013, 8:34 PM

    How very sad. Bring back the death penalty.

    26
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    Mute James Lane
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    Jan 30th 2013, 11:29 PM

    I Wonder Will The Priests Words On Policing in Ireland Especialy Rural Ireland at Adrian’s Funeral Mass Today Fall
    On Deaf Ears. Shatter Did You Even Listen.

    21
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    Mute James Lane
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    Jan 30th 2013, 11:23 PM

    People is is heartening to see all the positive Comments. Please Go to Causes.com and look at the pledges page and the petitions Page and Sign If You Agree. Show your Respect For Adrian and Your Support for His Collogues help them to Police The Country effectily And Safely . And To Keep Us The Decent Law Abiding People Safe.

    19
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    Mute Steve Murphy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 4:32 PM

    The usual fg/lab support shown as usual no pictures of any other partys,

    15
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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 4:46 PM

    You mean the two parties who are in power? Shut up on behalf of everyone with common sense.

    118
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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 5:05 PM

    You’re beneath contempt. Incapable of leaving aside politics on such a tragic occasion.

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    Mute Steve Murphy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 5:14 PM

    @vincent,iv seen your abuse on a higher scale with similar articles so off with ya

    47
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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:06 PM

    No I mean the people who are paying there respect to this man and dont want an argument about politics.

    31
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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:14 PM

    @paul- meant for Steve.

    11
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    Mute Steve Murphy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:21 PM

    The journal is to censored when it comes to fg

    7
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    Mute Bri_Shiels
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    Jan 31st 2013, 1:30 AM

    How dare they not use the Journal now use this man’s death to take pics of FF TD’s at the funeral, how dare they not write about Micheal Martin’s crass motion timed to take place with this in the background.

    Your dirt from a party of dirt.

    3
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    Mute marylou o donnell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 5:53 PM

    And whats with the hundreds of ghouls turning up to the womans house for a gawk. How unseemly is that?

    Do they go to the homes of other complete strangers, or is it because they can be part of a media circus?

    15
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    Mute jim melia
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    Jan 30th 2013, 6:32 PM

    Oh great, another troll.

    40
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    Mute marylou o donnell
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    Jan 30th 2013, 7:39 PM

    why all the thumbs down. don’t like being reminded of your voyeuristic ghoulishness?

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    Mute Mags Louth
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    Jan 30th 2013, 10:51 PM

    I find your comment disgusting. A national mark of respect has been shown, I think this will be of some comfort to his wife, if not now but in time to come. R.I.P.
    I hope justice is done and the persons involved get their day in court and many years in prison.

    21
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    Mute Frances Kenna
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    Jan 31st 2013, 3:00 AM

    i hope justice is done i have met with Adrain a number of time and a nicer man u couldnt meet dundalk has had a big black cloud hanging over it since friday last i just hope that the wife and 2 wee kids, family, and wide circle of friends and family of Adrain,s get some comfort in the way dundalk has done him proud im from dundalk and i was over whammed by the lovely service and the turn out of the people from near and far but most of all the people of dundalk and co louth for there loven words and flowers they layed at the Garda Barreks in Dundalk

    13
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    Mute Edel Reilly
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    Jan 30th 2013, 11:23 PM

    Rip to this poor man and god help those left to grieve. Am I though the only one that thinks every innocent civilian killed by a criminal deserves the same level of investigation and length of jail term if caught.

    6
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    Mute Fiachra Molloy
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    Jan 30th 2013, 5:54 PM

    Ann McCabe knows exactly what Caroline Donoghue is going through, and she wouldn’t be at the funeral if she wasn’t invited. Ann McCabe speaks out in support of Gardaí, not for her own publicity. It’s also extremely low to mention her re-marriage as well, that’s completely immaterial and stinks of begrudgery.

    4
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