O'Donnell, Peter
July 31, 2009Hundreds of mourners gathered in Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuesday July 28 to mourn the passing of popular retired Detective Garda Peter O'Donnell who tragically passed away last Saturday July 25th in the town's Garda Station.
Shocked mourners from all over the country visited the family's home on Sunday and Monday to pay their respects to Peter as the town struggled to come to terms with the news of Peter's sudden passing.
A native of Ardara, Co. Donegal and who had lived in Carrick-on-Shannon for 29 years. Peter O'Donnell was a mainstay of the local community, both through his work as a member of An Garda Siochana and through the many voluntary organisations with which he was involved in.
Peter was laid to rest in St. Mary's cemetery on Tuesday afternoon following requiem mass in the town. Guards of honour from his former colleagues in An Garda Siochana, Carrick-on-Shannon, Athletics Club, Carrick & Leitrim Community Games, St. Mary's GAA Club and Carrick-on-Shannon Golf Club lined the route of the funeral procession.
Along with his wife Mary, Peter was a keystone of the local community, heavily involved in the local organisations over the years, particularly Carrick-on- Shannon Athletics Club, Carrick-on-Shannon Swimming Pool Community as well as Carrick and Leitrim Community Games.
Peter officiated at local and national level in both athletics and community games while he was also an officer of St. Mary's GAA Club in the town.
All of his children competed at national level with Aidan & Gerard representing Ireland in Athletics while Brian won Senior Championship medals with St. Mary's and also represented Leitrim at underage level.
His daughter Claire, who recently gave birth to Peter's grandson Charlie, competed in athletics as well but also officiated at national level for both athletics and community games as did her mother Mary.
Peter's own sporting passions extended to the golf course and the badminton court, while he was also a keen swimmer, having been heavily involved with the running and operation of the old outdoor swimming pool in the town for many years.
After joining the Garda in 1974, Peter was stationed in Galway, Monaghan and Dowra before being transferred to Carrick-on-Shannon in 1980 where he spent the remainder of his career.
In 1997, Peter was appointed to the Detective Branch and played a leading role in all major criminal investigations in the Sligo/ Leitrim Garda Division since then.
Peter is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Claire and partner Jason, sons Aidan, Brian and Gerard, his grandchild Charlie and his father Charlie.
He is also survived by a large family of brothers, sisters and in-laws - Frank & Vera O'Donnell, John Michael O'Donnell, Charlie and Ellen O'Donnell, James O'Donnell and partner Olive, Conal and Marian O'Donnell, Eddie and Mary O'Donnell, sisters Fidelma and Nigel Carey, Mary and Pat Bennett, Breege Brennan, Kathleen and Michael Campbell. As well as nieces, nephews, God children Maedbh O'Donnell and Rory O'Donnell and extended members of the Gildea family as well as large circle of neighbours, friends and colleagues from all over the country.
The staff of the Leitrim Observer would like to join with the entire community in offering their deepest sympathy to the family and many friends of Peter on his passing, may he Rest In Peace.
Courtesy of the Leitrim Observer
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