"A noble member of An Garda Siochana and a proud son on Limerick" was part of a tribute from Garda chief Superintendent Pat Murray to the late John Breen, Market Street, Skibbereen. His death was deeply regretted not only in his adopted town but over a much wider area. John Breen was deeply loved by everybody in Skibbereen and while standing firm as guardian of the law, he was also a 'man of the people', widely known and respected and always willing to put his shoulder to the wheel in sporting and voluntary bodies. Sport, in all its phases, was a consuming interest for him and as a fine sportsman himself, he also took pride in the achievements of his children, with his son Ian being a prominent footballer and his daughters being to the fore in such sports as basketball and badminton, with Rose and Mary being international basketball players. A native of Croom, John Breen joined the Garda Siochana in December 1956 and his first station was Clonakilty and then Ballyfeard in South Cork, before going on border duties to Blacklion in Co Cavan. His next move was to Knocknagree and then to Goleen in 1962 and afterwards, in 1967, he was promoted to Sergeant and served in Kilbrittain and Leap. Later, in 1969, he was posted to Skibbereen as Sergeant where he served until he retired from the force in 1991. He upheld the law with discretion and as the Chief Superintendent also said, it was "with a firm hand when enforcement was necessary but to the little and less important things, he could wisely, close his eyes" and he added: "I am lucky to have known John Breen." He also said that John Breen was a highly respected, honourable, decent and very professional member of An Garda Siochana. In Sport, John Breen was an accomplished hurler and footballer and wore the Croom jersey with pride in his early years. He played colleges football with Charleville CBS and St Augustines, Dungarvan as well as playing with numerous clubs around the country and he played Inter County with Leitrim. In 1969, four of the O'Donovan Rossa team including John, represented Cork in the Garda Hurling Championship where they defeated Limerick and Tipperary. He jointed the Skibbereen Golf Club in 1971 where he also performed with distinction and acted as honourary secretary for a few years. In that regard, he thought nothing of helping the club with important projects and this writer remembers him deploying spade and shovel back in the Seventies during the installation of a greens watering system. His contributions were always positive and, aside from that, he had a universal interest in all sports and, apart from strongly supporting O'Donovan Rossa's, he also followed other games such as rugby and, as stated, golf, basketball and badminton. Nothing narrow or sectional for this man with a bigger vision. His removal took place to St Patrick's Cathedral, Skibbereen and at the funeral Mass, his eldest daughter Anne delivered a touching eulogy, during which, on behalf of her mother Betty and the family. She thanked the clergy who concelebrated the funeral Mass, these being Father Donal Cotter, Adm, Skibbereen, as well as Father Sylvester, OFM Cap, Holy Trinity Church, Cork, Father O'Leary, PP, Monkstown and Father Breen, Redemptorists, Limerick. "Dad", she said, "was a great family man at heart and who had a great love of life and considered himself blessed to be in a hob he loved, living in a town he loved and where he had many friends." The Chief mourners were his wife Betty (nee Palmer), Ringaskiddy and children Anne, Lil, Ian, Rose, Mary and Mags and special grandson Shane, and also his sister Joan Wallace, Croom, daughter and sons-in-law, grandchildren and other close relatives. John Breen was predeceased by his brother Pat, Croom and sister Mary Riordan, Grange. Members of An Garda Siochana, led by Superintendent Pat Maher, provided a guard of honour at the removal and his retired work colleagues shouldered his remains through the Main Street. On the following day, after Requiem Mass, members of O'Donovan Rossa GAA Club formed a guard of honour and the burial took place to the New Cemetery, Skibbereen. The obsequies had large and representative gatherings, with numerous members of the Garda force, both serving and retired in attendance.Together with the wider community, which included a large representation of friends and family who travelled from this native Limerick, it reflected his great popularity and the respect in which he was held. Courtesy of the Limerick Leader. 22 September, 2007 Tweet

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