Gardaí have ‘clear' CCTV of moment Garda Kevin Flatley was killed in the line of duty
Clear CCTV footage of the harrowing moment Garda Kevin Flatley was knocked down and killed in the line of duty has been obtained by gardaí.
Father of two, Garda Flatley, 49, died while performing a speed check on a local road in Lusk, north County Dublin, on Sunday afternoon. He was hit by a motorcycle he had been trying to flag down.
CCTV images obtained from a nearby service station show Gda Flatley's final moments, sources told Extra.ie. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in the incident and is in a critical condition. The scene on the R132 at Lanestown where Garda Kevin Flatley was killed. Pic: Garrett White/PA Wire
Garda Flatley's local club, O'Dwyers GAA in Balbriggan, north Dublin, said the community was 'absolutely heartbroken'.
They said: 'Kevin was an absolute gentleman who had a huge part to play in our club, always lending a hand when he could. He was always a pleasure to chat to, and his grá for GAA and helping others shone through in every conversation.
'He was a dedicated coach with our U10 girls' team, encouraging the players at all times and bringing great energy. Kevin Flatley. Pic: O'Dwyers GAA
'We extend our deepest condolences to Kevin's wife Una, his two daughters (Aoife and Erin) who play with us in O'Dwyers, and all of his family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time. 'He will be sorely missed by all. May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.'
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan yesterday expressed his sympathies to Mr Flatley's family and colleagues, saying: 'When Garda Flatley went to work yesterday morning, he went out in the same way as every guard goes out to work, which is to keep the community safe – and he was doing that in his role within the Roads Policing Unit.
'It was a terrible tragedy he lost his life in the line of duty, but it emphasises the sacrifices and the danger associated with policing in Ireland. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
'We think it's a job which is the same as other jobs – it's not. Every day, members of An Garda Síochána put themselves personally in danger by carrying out their duty on behalf of the people of Ireland, and it is a tragedy that Garda Flatley paid the ultimate price yesterday whilst performing his duty.'
Gardaí want anyone who saw the Yamaha R motorcycle from 12 pm on Sunday to make contact with investigators.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said another garda 'unbelievably' had his leg broken after being struck by a motorcycle the same day, while a third suffered a broken leg after being hit by a vehicle in another incident a week earlier. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
Asked about a review into roads policing, Mr O'Callaghan said people need to look at their own behaviour 'in the first instance as opposed to' asking what the gardaí can do differently.
'We need to slow down. There is too much speed on our roads. There are too many lives being lost on our roads. Primary responsibility rests on all of us to ensure we're not driving excessively fast – that's something within all our control.'
Asked about the dangers of roads policing raised by the Commissioner, Mr O'Callaghan said he will implement 'whatever new measures are required in order to ensure that gardaí are kept as safe as possible during their roads policing. The scene on the R132 at Lanestown where Garda Kevin Flatley was killed. Pic: Garrett White/PA Wire
'Obviously, it's an area that's also hugely dependent upon technology – we need to use technology as much as possible. A recently approved new contract for the use of more road traffic cameras, that's an area that can be as effective.
'But no matter what technologies we introduce, we're never going to get away from the fact that we want and we will need to have members of An Garda Síochána actively on the ground, policing the law and protecting the community.
'That's what Garda Flatley was doing yesterday. Tragically, he lost his life while doing it, but his public service is commendable, and it's something we should all sort of honour and reflect upon,' he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
Asked what shape a review of roads policing should take in the wake of Garda Flatley's death, the minister said: 'We need to reflect upon: Are gardaí being exposed to excessive danger?'
Earlier, the vice president of the Garda Representative Association told the same programme that Sunday was a 'dreadful' day for the organisation.
Niall Hodgins said Mr Flatley is remembered as a 'friend, colleague and teammate' who wore his uniform with 'dignity, courage and pride… His colleagues have told me his presence enriched all the stations that he has served in… and his kindness, I understand, touched everybody that knew him,' he said.
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