18-06-2025
Gardai pay heartbreaking tribute following death of 'Little Blue Hero' Saoirse
Heartbreaking tributes have poured in following the death of a young girl from Co Mayo whose "laughter, spirit, and gentle soul touched everyone who knew her".
Saoirse Duggan, from Bekan in Claremorris, passed away earlier this week following a brave battle with cancer.
A notice shared by her family on states: "We are heartbroken to share the unbearable news that our precious little girl, Saoirse Duggan, passed away peacefully after a long illness so bravely borne, leaving behind her devastated parents Tommy and Martina and sister Éabha.
"Saoirse leaves behind her beloved family and will be sadly missed by her loving parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and her large group of friends and the wider Duggan, O'Brien, Heneghan and Mahon families.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the medical and healthcare staff who looked after Saoirse with such care, kindness, and love during her illness."
Saoirse's tragic death comes just a few short months after she was made an honorary garda by the Little Blue Heroes foundation - a charity operated entirely by volunteers made up of Garda members and staff.
The not-for-profit charity aims to help families in need from local communities in Ireland who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness.
With many young children being fascinated by police uniforms and the equipment, they organise for children to become an 'Honorary Garda' to live out their dreams.
Little Blue Heroes arranged a special day for Saoirse and her family in March, with Community Garda John Monaghan presenting the youngster with her new Honorary Garda uniform.
Saoirse hit the ground running, and on her first day of duty, she was in the lead car at the Claremorris St. Patrick's Day Parade with her mom, dad, and baby sister.
Gardai in Mayo have tribute to the honorary garda in a poignant message shared on social media.
"Our hearts are saddened to hear that one of our Little Blue Heroes in Mayo, Honorary Garda Saoirse Duggan passed away peacefully after a long illness so bravely borne, leaving behind her devastated parents Tommy and Martina and sister Éabha," they said in a post shared on the Mayo An Garda Siochana Facebook pace
"Her laughter, spirit, and her gentle soul touched everyone who knew her. Saoirse's time with us was far too short, but her impact was immeasurable.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam."
Saoirse's funeral mass was held on Wednesday at Bekan Church in Claremorris with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
