It is in aid of The Marie Keating Foundation.
The Great Garda Run 2009 Team departs for the Chicago Marathon on Thursday 8th October 2009 at 10.45am at Departure Area 4 in Dublin Airport.
The ‘Great Garda Run 2009’ event will see 150 members of An Garda Síochána participate in the Chicago Marathon next Sunday, the 11th October 2009, in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation. The ‘Great Garda Run 2009’ participants will be joined in Chicago, by former World Champion: Eamonn Coghlan; Singer/Songwriter: Ronan Keating and Media Presenter Shane O’ Donoghue, as Official ‘Team Patrons’.
All members of the ‘Great Garda Run 2009’ Team will personally fund all expenses incurred in this trip and therefore, every cent raised by them in this initiative, will go directly to the Marie Keating Foundation. In total, the 150 Gardaí are aiming to raise over €250,000 for this Charity, which will be specifically used to purchase, resource and maintain a ‘Mobile Information Unit’, to aid the early detection of Cancer.
The participants in the Great Garda Run 2009 Team include the following Gardaí
Detective Garda Brian Murray
Brian Murray is 45 years old and a native of Ballyshannon in Co. Donegal. Brian played Senior Gaelic Football at the very highest level with Aodh Ruadh, Ballyshannon and in 1992, he won an ‘All Ireland Medal’ with Donegal in their famous All Ireland Final victory against Dublin. He works as a Detective Garda in Kilmainham Garda Station, Dublin and has been involved in Kilcock GAA for the past 13 Years. This is Brian’s second Marathon, having completed the 2008 Great Garda Run in Paris.
Garda Tony Miniter
Tony Miniter is 37 and a native of Ennis in Co. Clare and currently works in the Traffic Corps in Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick. In 2006, Tony decided to take up running to shed some weight. He has since completed the Dublin Marathon twice and more recently, the Connemara Marathon. In May of 1999, Tony’s father was diagnosed with a massive Tumour in his brain and it was deemed Cancerous and inoperable. Sadly, his Dad passed away ten years ago this week and it is for this reason, that Tony will take to the streets of Chicago next Sunday, to raise funds for Cancer awareness and support the ongoing work of the Marie Keating Foundation.
Garda Karl Foley
Karl Foley is 27 Years old and is a native Kilmore, Co. Roscommon, now living in Dromod, Co. Leitrim. This is Karl’s first marathon and the reason he is taking part in the marathon is, like many, his family have been affected by Cancer. His father got Cancer 3 years ago and has since fought the disease. Karl wants ‘to give something back’ in the form of fundraising for Cancer and the ‘Great Garda Run 2009’ has provided this opportunity. Karl has worked as a Garda for the past number of years in Trim and is currently transferring to Longford Garda Station.
According to Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy “The ‘Great Garda Run 2009’ initiative, exemplifies the historically strong sporting culture within An Garda Síochána, not just in Sports 'Participation, but also in Sports Coaching and Voluntary Fundraising by Gardaí within many local communities.”
Commissioner Murphy added “I commend the dedication and hard work shown by all Team participants, both in terms of fundraising and training for this tremendous challenge. Endeavours such as the ‘Great Garda Run 2009’ undoubtedly assist An Garda Síochána in building and sustaining positive community partnerships throughout Ireland and beyond. I wish the Team every success as they depart for this great sporting occasion in Chicago”.
õ A Photo-Shoot Opportunity involving Mr Eamonn Coghlan, Mr. Shane O'Donoghue, Gardai Brian Murray, Tony Miniter, Karl Foley and other members of the ‘Great Garda Run 2009’ Team, will take place at 10.45am on Thursday 8th October in Departure Area No. 4 in Dublin Airport.
Garda Press Office
7th October 2009
