
Garda colleagues gather for service in memory of Kevin Flatley
Colleagues of the Garda who died after being struck by a motorcyclist on Sunday embraced in emotional scenes at Dublin Castle on Monday evening as they met ahead of the memorial service.
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Those in attendance included colleagues both past and present from across Ireland who came to pay their respects, and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (centre) arrives at Dublin Castle for the memorial service (Niall Carson/PA)
Prayers were led by the Rev David Pierpoint and Father Joe Kennedy, both longstanding chaplains at An Garda Síochána.
Mr Flatley, 49, died after being hit by a motorcycle as he was recording vehicles' speeds on the R132 at Lanestown on Sunday afternoon.
President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris are among those who have expressed their sympathies and shock following the death of the married father of two who had served for 26 years.
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He was the 90th officer to die on duty since the creation of the force in 1922.
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