27-06-2025
'Giant of kindness' - anniversary for garda shot dead 40 years ago
A number of events are taking place to remember a garda who was shot dead by armed robbers in Co Louth, 40 years ago today.
Sergeant Patrick 'PJ' Morrissey was shot dead in the line of duty while responding to a robbery at the labour exchange in Ardee on 27 June 1985.
He was 49 years old and married with four children. In 1986, he was posthumously awarded the Scott Gold Medal for bravery.
In a statement released to mark the 40th anniversary of his death, his family said Sergeant Morrissey will never be forgotten.
"We knew him as a giant of kindness and strength and someone who belonged strongly in fairness and in giving people chances to rectify their lives," his family said.
"He believed strongly in the power of humanity and common decency."
The statement said Sergeant Morrissey's former colleagues in the Garda Sub Aqua Unit and in Collon garda station and the other stations where he was posted alongside those in the Garda Choir "have paid many hearts felt tributes throughout the years since 1985 - they most certainly have never forgotten him, nor us as a family".
A remembrance ceremony was recently held in Collon while a specially crafted bench in memory of the late garda sergeant was also unveiled.
An anniversary mass will be held in his home town of Belturbet, Co Cavan, tomorrow and will be attended by his widow, Bernie, and their children Martin, Brian, Mary and Aideen.
Victim and survivor support group SEFF has sewn quilts made up of different panels illustrating the memories of families of victims of terrorism across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain.
The group has said the panel on the quilt dedicated to Sergeant Morrissey aims to remember him as a hero but also who he was outside of his job.
The panel depicts the late garda as a diver wearing fins in the water and surrounded by musical notes to illustrate his interests in life.
In a statement, SEFF Director Kenny Donaldson said forty years ago Sergeant Morrissey was "stolen away from his family by subversives", adding that "the murder of PJ shocked and appalled many people".
"Despite what they have been subjected to, the Morrissey family have sought to live their lives in a manner bringing honour to his memory. They represent the values of fairness, respect and commitment to service which PJ's life reflected," he added.
Some of the quilts that the group has created will be exhibited at Belturbet Heritage Railway Museum on Saturday evening following the mass in memory of Sergeant Morrissey.
