Many tributes have been paid to a long-serving member of An Garda Siochána, former Detective-Garda Bart O'Leary from Ballingeary, who passed away last weekend, having been ill for some time. Known as Batty at home in Ballingeary and Bart to his colleagues, the popular garda gave over 30 years service with An Garda Siochana, starting off as a young guard in Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan, before moving to Ballycotton in the East Cork division, and then Blackrock in the city division where he became a detective-garda. He spent the last 15 years of service in the Bantry Garda District until he retired four years ago at the age of 56.
"He was an outstanding policeman," said his long time friend and colleague, former Detective Garda Pat Joy of Bantry Garda Station, one of many former and current members of the force who joined a huge attendance at the funeral in Ballingeary.
Batty O'Leary was also well-known in sporting circles. He received secondary school education in Colaiste Iosagain, Ballyvourney and was a member of the College team that won the prestigious Munster Colleges Football Cup, Corn na Mumhan, in 1971.
Reaching the All-Ireland Colleges Final that year, the fast wing-back played alongside great players who went on to play at various levels with Cork and Kerry. Batty captained that Iosagain team during a reunion tour to America in 1972.
Having won many track and field titles with the Colaiste Iosagain athletics team, Garda O'Leary later got involved in athletics coaching while stationed in east Cork, and a young Sonia O'Sullivan was one of those who benefited from his voluntary efforts.
His passion was GAA and having played for Cumann Peile Bheal Atha 'n Ghaorthaidh in his young days, he went on to become chairman of the Ballingeary club, presiding over a major pitch and clubhouse development in 2007, completed in time for the All Ireland Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta football competition held there that year. He was holder of a few All-Ireland medals himself with the Cork Garda Football team.
No wonder then that the local GAA and An Garda Siochana members former a guard of honour for their fallen friend at his funeral in Ballingeary last Monday, and the children from the local Scoil Fhionnbarra national school also lined up to honour a former pupil, as did members of the Gaeltacht school's Board of Management, of which he was Chairman.
A vote of sympathy to Batty O'Leary's family and to his garda colleagues, proposed by Midleton area Councillor Michael Hegarty, was passed at Monday's meeting of Cork County Council.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

The Corkman, 12th September, 2013 Tweet

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