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Irish Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Garda praised for going above and beyond to help reunite tourist with lost phone
A garda member has been praised for coming to the rescue of a tourist who lost her phone containing sentimental photos of her late grandad just as she was boarding a flight back to Poland. Aleksandra had been visiting Ireland and was returning home to Poland when she accidentally misplaced her phone at her flight's boarding gate in Dublin Airport. The flight had already departed Dublin when the young woman realised that she had left her phone behind. A fellow passenger came upon the phone and managed to send a text from it to Aleksandra's fiancé to say that she would hand it in to security at Dublin Airport. However, Aleksandra didn't know where exactly the woman had handed it in, and the phone's battery eventually died before she could find out. Aleksandra's grandfather was a very important figure in her life and had only recently passed away. Her phone contained many sentimental photographs, voice notes and videos of him which suddenly appeared lost as they were not backed up. The Polish woman was so desperate to get these important mementos back that she flew back to Ireland in a bid to try locate the phone. After landing back in Dublin Airport, Aleksandra first checked with airport staff, but unfortunately the phone couldn't be located. In one last ditch effort, she came to speak with officers at the Garda Station near Terminal 1 around 4am on Tuesday morning. Garda Grace Roddy was on overnight duty at the public desk and having heard the story, was determined to help. Garda Roddy went 'above and beyond to assist' doing all the rounds in the airport to find it, but to no success. Not giving up, she decided to make her way back to the gate that Aleksandra had flown out from only days previous. That's where Garda Roddy discovered the phone tucked away out of sight in a drawer at one of the airline's desks. The phone with all the much cherished photographs, videos and audio clips was returned to Aleksandra on what happened to be her 30th birthday. An Garda Siochana shared the heartwarming story on their Facebook page along with an email Aleksandra had sent to Garda Roddy thanking her for her help. 'Ms. Garda Grace Roddy demonstrated genuine empathy, took the time to listen and made every effort to help me get my phone back — even though she was not obliged to do so," Aleksandra said. "Her professionalism and willingness to act made things happen. She found my phone which I truly appreciate. 'In times when such personal commitment is rare, Ms. Garda Grace Roddy's actions deserve to be recognised.' The Facebook post sparked a huge response on social media, with members of the public heaping praise on Garda Roddy for coming to the rescue of the Polish woman. "That's what makes the Irish Police different from all other Police forces anywhere," one person said. "What a wonderful happy story. That's what you could look forward to telling all your family and friends about the real good decent people of Ireland and what a very kind Gardai to go to such lengths. Well done. Total Respect," another person said. While a third added: "What a fabulous young lady, Garda Grace Roddy is, such empathy, An Garda Siochana are very lucky to have her as are the general public. It is great that Aleksandra contacted the station to show her gratitude. human nature is sometimes that we tell more of the negative side rather than the good news."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Kevin Flatley: Funeral of Garda killed in line of duty held in Dublin
The funeral of an Irish police officer knocked down and killed in County Dublin last weekend has been told he was "adored" by everyone in his family and that the loss they are experiencing is "heart breaking".Kevin Flatley, 49, died at the scene after he was hit by a motorcyclist in Lanestown, in the north of the county, shortly before 13:00 local time on had been carrying out a speed his funeral in Balbriggan, Dublin, Garda Flatley's coffin was draped with the Irish tricolour and his hat and gloves placed upon it. Garda motorcycle colleagues from the Dublin Metropolitan Region's roads policing unit formed a guard of honour as the hearse carrying Garda Flatley's coffin arrived at St Peter and Paul's Church. Two police officers led the cortege, one carrying the Irish tricolour and the other the flag of An Garda Síochána (Irish police force).A number of items including a fiddle, a GAA top and jersey, and a family bible which he used to read to his children, were placed at the altar to commemorate his those who attended the funeral were Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin, President Michael D Higgins, Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Simon Harris, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister Michelle O'Neill. 'Cherished by everyone' A colleague, Garda Rosanna Caul, spoke of the "privilege" of working with the "family man".She said that on Sunday, the lives of Garda Flatley's wife Una, and their daughters, were changed forever."They never imagined when Kevin went to work, that he would not return home," she said."The family are so grateful to those who came to Kevin's aid on Sunday and to everyone who has taken care of Kevin since this time." She said that the support which his family has received since Sunday has been "phenomenal"."An Garda Síochána have been unwavering in their care support and help that has been offered to the family since Kevin's passing."Kevin's memory will never be forgotten, he is forever in his children's, family's and friends' hearts, and Kevin will always be cherished by everyone who knew him." Garda Kevin Flatley, who was a member of the roads policing unit based at Dublin Castle, is the 90th member of An Garda Síochána to be killed on 89 other garda victims lost their lives on duty for a variety of reasons including incidents relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, while on anti-crime operations, and in the fatal collision on Saturday, Garda Commissioner (head of the Irish police force) Drew Harris called for "a real reset" when it comes to road at a press conference on Sunday, Mr Harris said it was a "desperately sad day for An Garda Síochána".Following the funeral mass, Garda Flatley's remains were taken for a private family burial in Newcastle, County Dublin.
