The death took place recently of retired garda superintendent, Frank Doris, Roslevan, Ennis. In his 90th year, he was a native of Lismore, near Newtownforbes, Co. Longford.
In a long and distinguished career in the garda force, he headed up investigations in a number of high profile cases in Dublin and Clare. He retired as garda superintendent in Ennis in 1986.
Well-known and respected by the public and his colleagues, he led a full and active life. He played Gaelic football with a number of teams in his younger years and afterwards fishing, shooting and horse racing were among his interests. He always looked forward to a mayfly fishing outing to Lough Arrow in Co Sligo.
A big blow to him was sustaining a serious leg injury in a shooting accident while out hunting in North Clare in 2004. However, he showed great determination in copying with the situation and continued to be active in his local community.
He was educated at his local national school and St Mel's College in Longford. A Gaelic footballer of note, he played with St Mel's and won junior and senior Leinster championships between 1940 and 1942. He also played parish football with Clonguish, with whom he won a junior county championship.
In 1947, he was a valued member of the Longford team that reached the semi-final of the National Football League. He always recalled that he joined the Garda Siochana on D Day, June 6, 1944 and was attached to the Kevin Street and Coombe stations, Dublin, during his early years.
He was later transferred to Dun Laoghaire. Following promotions, he became a detective inspector attached to the Garda Fraud Squad in Dublin. He also continued to play Gaelic football in Dublin. He won a junior medal with Ard Craobh and later lined out with Westerns, who were beaten in the Dublin final by Sean McDermott's.
He also won a senior championship medal with the garda team before retiring from the game in 1951. In n1969, he was promoted to superintendent and transferred to Kilrush, where he was in charge of the West Clare area.
Three years later, he was transferred to Ennis and ended his illustrious career there 14 years later. During his time in charge of the Ennis division, his duties included being present for the visits to Shannon Airport by world-famous dignataries.
His death took place at the Mid-Western Hospital, Ennis, on August 22 last and reposing was at his home on Saturday, August 24. Many former colleagues and friends came to pay their final respects. A guard of honour of gardai accompanied the remains to St Joseph's church, Ennis on August 25 for funeral mass.
At the church, there was another guard of honour of former and present gardai under Chief Supt John Kerin. Tributes were paid to Frank at the funeral mass celebrated by a family friend, Fr ignatius McCormack, St Flannan's College, assisted by Fr John McGovern, Fr Jerry Carey and Canon Patrick Taaffe.
After mass, the funeral took place to Newtownforbes cemetery ,Co Longford.
Frank is survived by his wife, Rosaleen, son Thomas, daughters Yvonne and Elizabeth, brother Tommy, sister Patsy Farrell, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.
The month's mind mass for Frank Doris will be celebrated in St Flannan's College Chapel, Ennis on Saturday, September 28 at 7pm.

Clare Champion, 20th September, 2013 Tweet

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