Posted online: Jul 29th, 2009

Glowing tributes to the memory of retired detective Peter O’Donnell of Ardara who tragically died at the weekend were paid on Monday by a judge who knew him for most of his garda career.
Judge Conal Gibbons, who lives in Co. Leitrim and, before his elevation to the bench, had a legal practise in Carrick-on-Shannon – where Det Gda Peter O’Donnell died on Saturday – said: “He was a great member of the community.”
The judge, speaking in Donegal District Court, said: “He worked tirelessly for the community and all the people of the area in Carrick-on-Shannon. As a member of the Garda Siochana he was second to none. He was an exceedingly sympathetic individual who knew how to act and what proper policing entailed. He had the regard of all in the community.”
The judge, who knew Mr O’Donnell since his arrival in Carrick-on-Shannon in 1980, added: “In all my dealings with him he was an extremely excellent and professional garda.”
Mr O’Donnell was buried yesterday, in Carrick-on-Shannon.
A post mortem examination was carried out on Sunday by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy in Sligo General Hospital on the body of the 55-year-old prior to the removal of his remains to his home at Summerhill, Carrick-on-Shannon.
Prayers were said for him on Saturday evening and on Sunday at Masses in Ardara in the Church of the Holy Family where many of his large family are members of the congregation.
The dead detective, who retired two months ago after 35 years in the Garda, was a brother of Donegal GAA County Board Secretary Charlie O’Donnell.

(The full report is carried in today’s edition of the Donegal Post)

Reporter: Paddy Clancy