The female Garda who died in a boat fire in County Leitrim on Monday morning has been named as Detective Garda Deirdre Finn.
Det. Garda Finn died after an incident in Carrick-on-Shannon after a fire broke out on a boat where she was sleeping. She was based in Dún Laoghaire in Dublin and was due to retire from the force in the coming months.
Firefighters tackled the blaze at the marina where the boat had been docked before the experienced Garda’s body was discovered. The body was removed to Sligo University Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out.
The scene was sealed off so a forensic examination could be carried out.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said in a statement: “Gardaí assisted emergency services following reports of a fire on a boat. One female has been confirmed deceased. The scene is currently being preserved.”
The Detective garda was a member of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) where she held a number of senior roles. President of GRA Brendan O’Connor said: “We are devastated at the loss of a colleague and friends who not only was a talented crime investigator but also served colleagues and the GRA so well in a number of elected roles. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.”
Kay Baxter, President of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, said: “The atmosphere here is one of disbelieve and shock.
“Deirdre was well known in our boating community. We are like one big family and we all help one another out and everybody knows everybody.
“She had just taken part in the Shannon Boat Rally, which ended on Sunday. Our hearts go out to her father and brothers, her extended family and all her colleagues in An Garda Síochána.”
