RIP: Laois Garda bombed by IRA laid to rest with Garda honours

The life and sacrifice of Portarlington's former Garda for Ireland and the people of Laois and Offaly was honoured at his funeral in his adopted community of Portarlington.

The remains of the retired garda sergeant, who passed away peacefully in Tullamore hospital on October 10, were laid to rest in St Michael's Cemetery, Portarlington, after his funeral Mass at St Michael's Parish Church.

Members of the Laois Offaly Garda Division lined the entrance to the Church as Jim's family escorted his remains were welcomed to the Church by Fr Tom Dooley, PP of Portarlington. He was joined in concelebrating the Requiem Mass by Fr. Michael Noonan and Fr. Brendan Lawless, a native of Jim's hometown in Kiltullagh, Co. Galway.

Jim's wife of 66 years, Mary, led mourners. She was joined by her son, Padraig, daughters Marie and Carmel, as well as other family members. The congregation also included many retired gardaí and many local people including members of Portarlington Golf Club, who joined gardaí in a guard of honour at the end of the Mass.

The congregation also included former Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, Laois Garda Superintendent Brian Farrell, and Inspector Joe Culleton. A Garda colour party was also on duty throughout the service as a mark of the force's respect for the late sergeant. 

Among the symbols of Jim's life brought to the Altar at the start of the Mass was the Garda Gold Scott Medal that was awarded to Jim for his courage in October 1976 when he almost lost his life in Garryhinch in an IRA bomb. 

Garda Michael Clerkin was killed in the explosion that left Jim and other gardaí Tom Peters, Ben Thornton and Gerry Bohan with lifelong injuries. Retired Garda Bohan, who is the only living member of the gardaí caught up in the attack, was in attendance at Jim's funeral.

Their sacrifice was referenced in Fr Dooley's homily and the eulogy delivered by Jim's son Padraig.

Praising Jim's bravery in 1976, Fr Dooley paid tribute to a man of strong faith in God who was a community policeman.

"He has done the State some service," said the PP. 

In his eulogy, Padraig told the congregation that his father was born in Raherneen, Killtullagh, Co Galway in 1934 where he was raised on small farm. He said his father never lost his bond with the West.

"You can take the man out of Galway, but you can't take Galway out of the man," he said.

Padraig recounted his dad's policing career, which began in 1955 with training in the Phoenix Park. He would go on to be stationed in various parts of the country, including in Monaghan, near Crossmaglen, during the Troubles, before moving to Laois in the late 1960s.

Jim was first stationed in Clonaslee before being assigned as a Sergeant in Portarlington in 1970, where he would work until retirement in 1994. Padraig spoke of some of the memorable highlights for his father life as a garda. These ranged from exchanging salutes with John F Kennedy to negotiating with Republican prisoners in Portlaoise Prison during the Troubles.

Padraig also recalled the events of 1976 as a "dark day" in Jim's career. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Jim Cannon and his wife Mary on the day he received the Scott Medal for Bravery in Templemore in 2017. Pic: Alf Harvey

"It has left many scars and many people and family members to this day," he said.

Padraig thanked all who supported the efforts that led to the awarding of the Scott Medals to Jim and his colleagues. He mentioned former Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan, Charlie Flanagan and the retired Laois Offaly garda chief superintendent John Scanlan, who was referred to as "an avid supporter of the pursuit of the Scott Medal".

Padraig recounted his father's active role over many years in local and national garda associations and in recent years, supporting victims of the Troubles. He specifically referenced the South East Fermanagh Foundation which supports victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland. He recalled a visit paid by Jim in 2025 with SEFF to Aras an hUachtarain to meet President Michael D Higgins.  MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Gerry Bohan, Peter and his sister Assumpta representing their brother Michael Clerkin; Chief Superintendent John Scanlan; Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan TD; Tom Peters, Ben Thornton and Jim Cannon at the presentation of Scott Medals in the Garda College, Templemore in 2017. Picture: Alf Harvey

Sport played a big part in Jim's life, from playing club hurling in Galway or supporting his county, to playing alongside some of the Tipperary greats with Holy Cross GAA, as well as lining out alongside the Garda hurling team. 

Another sporting passion recounted was golf and Jim's involvement from 1984 with Portarlington Golf Club, of which he was served a term as President. He recently celebrated his 91st birthday in the club. 

Finally, he paid tribute to Jim Cannon, the father and husband of 66 years to Tipperary native Mary. The couple celebrated their anniversary in the weeks before his death at Tullamore hospital.

Padraig remembered a man who loved family gatherings, sharing stories and advice across the generations. He praised his father's sense of caring, fairness, his religious belief, commitment to public service and putting others before himself. 

On his own and his family's behalf, he thanked local people for their support and first responders and staff and Tullamore hospital for the care and comfort provided to Jim in his final weeks.

He concluded by saying his father had an everlasting footprint on this life and would never be forgotten. 

Jim was predeceased by his beloved son Gerard, father Patrick, mother Delia, brothers Eddie, Liam, Brendan and Paddy , brothers-in-law Michael Shanahan and Peter Martin.

He is sadly missed by his loving wife Mary (nee Shanahan), Drombane, Thurles, son Padraig (Patrick), daughters Marie and Carmel, sister Maureen, son-in-law P.J. Kavanagh, daughter-in-law Susan Hall, grandchildren CJ and his wife Rhiannon, Luke, Enya-Su, Tara and her fiancè Artur, Joe and Conor, great-grandchildren Ava, Oscar and Harlow, sisters-in-law Bridie, Eileen and Mary, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, former members of An Garda Síochàna and many friends.