Sheehan, Gary

garysheenan

Name: Sheehan, Gary

Rank: Recruit Garda

Reg No: 23589L

Station: Training Centre, Templemore

Years of Service: 3 months

Background:
Gary Sheehan, born on 24th September, 1960, came from ’Barnesmore’, Kingscourt Road, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Having worked previously as a technician he joined An Garda Síochána on 7th September, 1983, following a family tradition as his father and grandfather also served as Gardai. He took a keen interest in all sports and played Gaelic football with his local team, Carrick Emmets. Recruit Garda Sheehan was single.

Circumstances:

On 24th November, 1983, a prominent business man, Mr. Don Tidy, was kidnapped by the Provisional I.R.A. close to his home in South County Dublin. A nationwide search was undertaken by An Garda Síochána. In mid December, 1983 the search focused in the Ballinamore area of County Leitrim based on intelligence. Huge Garda and Army resources were drafted in for the search operation in Ballinamore. Recruit Gardai from the Garda College, which included Recruit Garda Sheehan, were deployed on the search. On the 16th December, 1983 a Garda/Army search party confronted the I.R.A. gang holding Mr. Tidy in Derrada Wood, Ballinamore. Mr. Tidy was released. Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly, Custume Millitary Barracks, Athlone, were shot dead during the confrontation.