Tome Beirne, D'Alton Street, Claremorris, who died, was a former member of An Garda Siochana. He was aged 84 and retired from the force back in 1987. he was predeceased by his wife Maura in September, 2003. A native of the Elphin area of Co Roscommon, Tom joined the guards and spent the first seven years or so based in the general Dublin region. He was then transferred down the country to Portumna, where he was stationed for five years. In 1968, he was appointed to the small rural station of Kilimor, just a few miles out the road from Portumna, and he and his family were to spend the next eleven years in this South East Galway village, a stronghold of hurling tradition. Tom married Maura Molloy from Tourmakeady and they raised a family of four sons. In 1979, Tom was appointed to Claremorris and the Beirne family moved to Ballyhaunis Road in the town, where they resided for a number of years before later moving to Convent Road. Steeped in the Gaelic tradition, it was little wonder that Tom's lads soon became actively involved with Claremorris GAA Club. Both Sean and Kevin won a number of Mayo underage hurling titles with Claremorris in the early 1980's, during which time Claremorris had one of the top underage hurling clubs in Mayo. They also represented Mayo hurlers at U-16 and minor level. The love of Gaelic games and traditions instilled in their family by Tom and Maura was to manifest itself further when Kevin went on to make the grade at top level in football with Mayo and become a member of the Mayo senior team that reached the All-Ireland Final in 1989, narrowly losing out to Cork in a classic encounter. It was a very proud day for Tom and Maura to see their son line out in Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day. Their home in Claremorris was always a welcoming one and many were the pleasant visits I enjoyed in the Beirne family home back in those years. It was such a joy to spend time with Tom and Maura and share in the talk about sport as they settled into life in Claremorris. Tom always retained a fondness for his native Roscommon and was also a loyal supporter of the primrose and blue. He was a frequent visitor to Elphin and loved to keep in touch with all his old friends and neighbours. He also liked to read the Roscommon newspapers during all his years away from the county. It is fair to say that Tom Beirne was an exemplary member of An Garda Siochana. He was a man of a hugely compassionate nature and always believed in using commonsense and giving people a chance. His advice to people in his community was always respected, and many were thankful to Tom for giving them that chance that made all the difference. It earned him enormous respect and also the goodwill and confidence of every community in which he served. In latter years, he enjoyed his regular social rambles to the Western Hotel, where Paul and Ann Hanley and family and staff always ensured that Tom was content on his nights out in their premises. He bothered no one and was content to enjoy a quiet drink in his own corner. A man at peace with himself in the world. Tom Beirne was a man of noble qualities and was truly one of nature's gentlemen. Like so many more who got to know him, I held him in enormously high regard. There was a lovely gentle quality about Tom that was truly special. He was 'old stock' in every sense of the word and a wonderful ambassador for An Garda Siochana. Tom had been in declining health for some time, but news of his passing was still received with much sadness and regret by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Removal took place from Our Lady's Funeral Home (Gilligan's) to Claremorris Church with burial in St Colman's Cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Peter Gannon. He is survived by his sons Tom (Dublin), Liam (Dublin), Sean (Cavan) and Kevin (Claremorris); daughters-in-law Cathy and Linda; grandchildren, Simon, Jonathan, Adam and Daragh; brother kevin (London); nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Courtesy of the Mayo News. 11 September 2007. Tweet

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