THE Freedom of Limerick is to be posthumously awarded to the late Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was murdered during an attempted robbery of a post office van in Adare in June 1996.
Limerick City and County Council’s highest honour will also be bestowed later this month on his former partner, retired Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan, who was seriously wounded in the attack by members of the Provisional IRA.
The decision follows a special meeting of Limerick City and County Council last Wednesday where there was unanimous agreement from councillors.
Metropolitan Mayor Sean Lynch, himself a retired Garda Detective, said as a former colleague of Ben O’Sullivan and the late Jerry McCabe, he was “delighted and privileged” to see this honour bestowed on them.
Fianna Fáil party colleague and former Mayor Kevin Sheahan also felt it fitting that the people of Limerick would get the opportunity to “express our gratitude” for their service and bravery.
The Freedom of Limerick is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an individual by Limerick City and County Council. The honour is reserved for those who have made exceptional or unique contributions to the common good or to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the business, commercial, educational or cultural life of Limerick.
The late Jerry McCabe and Ben O’Sullivan become the second and third people to be conferred with the Freedom of Limerick since the amalgamation of the two local authorities. Both men are being honoured for their bravery in carrying out their duties on behalf of the people of Limerick and Ireland and as a token of the high esteem and affection in which they are held by the people of Limerick.
In 2014, President Michael D Higgins was conferred with the honour in recognition of his outstanding achievement as President and for his considerable contribution to the social, academic, cultural and artistic life at home and abroad.
Prior to the amalgamation of the councils, 64 people received the Freedom of Limerick City, including Paul O’Connell, Maud Gonne, Pope John Paull II, JP McManus as well as former US Presidents John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton.
The conferring ceremony for the late Detective Garda McCabe will take place in Istabraq Hall at the Council headquarters on Merchant’s Quay on Thursday, June 28 at 6pm.
