Slain Limerick detective remembered on 30th anniversary of shooting
Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was killed in Adare on June 7, 1996
THE 30th anniversary of the death of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe – who was shot in the line of duty – will take place this Sunday.
At 6.53am on June 7, 1996, Det Garda McCabe, 52, was killed indiscriminately while on duty by members of the IRA during a botched robbery of an An Post mail delivery van.
There are few Limerick people of a certain age who don’t remember where they were when they first heard the tragic news, similar to older generations when JFK was assassinated in Texas.
Indeed, it was the former American president who said: “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honours, the men it remembers.”
Det Garda McCabe, from Ballylongford in County Kerry, has never been forgotten.
A 30th anniversary Mass remembering Det Garda McCabe takes place this Sunday in Holy Rosary Church, Ennis Road, Limerick city where his funeral took place 30 years ago.
Up to 50,000 people lined the streets of Limerick to pay their respects to Det Garda McCabe, his beloved wife Ann, five children John, Mark, Stacey, Ian and Ross, extended family and his garda family.
Part of that family is the late former Det Garda Ben O’Sullivan who was in the car that fateful morning. He miraculously survived after being shot 11 times.
Both detectives, who started in the branch together 23 years previously, were escorting a cash in transit van at 6.50am in Adare when their car was struck by a 4x4.
Of the 15 rounds fired, one hit their car, three hit and killed Det Garda McCabe, and 11 struck Mr O'Sullivan. He retired in 2001 and was twice awarded the Scott Medal for bravery. Mr O’Sullivan passed away in 2022 at the age of 78.
Pearse McAuley was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in the killing of Det Garda McCabe.
The Tyrone man was one of four IRA men who pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.
McCauley was found dead at his home in Strabane in 2024.