THE full horrific details of how a garda and a firefighter died in the line of duty unfolded last night.
Garda Brian Kelleher and part-time fireman Michael Liston, who were married with families, were attending the scene of a car crash when they were knocked down and killed by another car.
An 18-year-old youth who was arrested after his car ploughed into the emergency workers is believed to have been driving to a late night party in Limerick city.
The Irish Independent has learned that the teenager was at his home in Kerry when he received the invite to the party via a text to his mobile phone.
He and two of his friends emerged from the car unhurt.
But the teen driver from Ballylongford, Co Kerry was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
He was brought to Henry Street garda station where he was questioned and tested for drink-driving.
However, he was later released without charge and a file is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
As a garda investigation began into the cause of the tragedy last night, the teenage driver's father visited the scene of the accident and was said to have been visibly upset.
Garda Kelleher (46), from Bruree, and Mr Liston (47) from Foynes, had travelled with other emergency service workers to deal with an overturned car.
They were on the scene of the initial accident at Barrigone, between Askeaton and Foynes, Co Limerick when the horrific crash happened shortly after 5.30am.
They were overseeing the lifting of the vehicle from the earlier accident onto a vehicle transporter when they were hit by another car on the N69 road.
Despite the efforts of ambulance personnel, the garda and fireman died on the roadside surrounded by their stricken colleagues.
The female motorist involved in the initial collision escaped unharmed from both incidents. As two communities were plunged into grief, Limerick's chief fire officer Carmel Kirby described the death of her colleague as the worst ever incident in the history of the brigade in Limerick.
Both men were married fathers and leave seven children behind. They were highly regarded by their colleagues in the Garda and fire service.
The communities of Foynes and Bruree where the two men lived are reeling at the deaths.
Garda Kelleher was based in Croom garda station while Mr Liston, a retained fire-fighter based in Foynes, was a contract worker for Limerick County Council.
Tanaiste Michael McDowell said the sudden deaths were a tragic event.
"I have asked the Garda Commissioner to convey my condolences and those of the Government to the bereaved family of the garda who tragically lost his life this morning," said Mr McDowell.
"The loss of life of two emergency workers is a stark reminder of the risks which people who work for An Garda Siochana and other emergency services take day in day out in seeking to promote public safety and to protect life," said Mr McDowell.
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea described the tragedy as devastating for all concerned.
"Here are two young men who were out serving their community.
"It's horrendous and our thoughts are with their families.
"It also shows the kind of risks that the emergency services are facing every day," said Mr O'Dea.
Firemen at Foynes are being offered counselling as part of the critical incident stress management programme.
Flags flew at half mast outside garda and fire stations, while books of condolences opened at Foynes fire station and Limerick Co Council.
Barry Duggan
Information From: Irish Independent
ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops
About MassCops, the home for Massachusetts law enforcement.
The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network opened in 1998 and is now a part of the New England Police Network The site is a pro-police discussion forum intended for sworn police officers and civilian law enforcement officials as well as those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement here in Massachusetts.
The goal of The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network is to provide an informal network of law enforcement officials here in Massachusetts for educational and informational purposes.
The forum covers many topics such as Police Related News Articles, Agency & Profession Discussions, Police Training as well as Law Enforcement Career Information.
The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network and The New England Police Network (NEPN) and it's network sites are privately owned websites/domains and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government association or agency.
MassCops (masscops.com) and (masscop.com) are privately owned are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Massachusetts Coalition of Police (masscop.org)
ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops