RIP: Galway garda dies as family thank community for support 'at this difficult time'
He served as a garda in Galway for over three decades and was described as a ‘wonderful colleague and a great mentor to all young Gardai’
A former Galway garda has died with his family thanking the local community for their support during this difficult time.
Richard 'Dick' O'Hora, who served as a garda in Ballinasloe for thirty years, died on Friday in the exceptional care of the staff of Dunlo Medical Centre and the Holy Family Nursing Home in Killimor.
The well-known station road local, formerly of Parke in Mayo, will repose at Grenham's Funeral Home in Ballinasloe on Monday from 5pm to 7pm with mass at St. Michael’s Church at 12pm Tuesday, followed by burial in Creagh Cemetery.
His family said: “We would like to thank everybody for their support and prayers at this difficult time”.
Secretary of the Ballinasloe and east Galway Garda Branch, Margaret Butler, paid the ultimate tribute to Dick saying he was a “wonderful colleague and a great mentor to young gardai”.
She said: “On behalf of the Ballinasloe/East Galway GSRMA Branch members, I wish to offer my sincere condolences to Mary, Anne, Bernadette, Angela, Michael and extended O'Hora family on the sad passing of your dear father and grandfather Dick.
“Dick served as a Garda in Ballinasloe and its hinterland for over 30 years and he did so with kindness, courtesy and common sense.
“He was a wonderful colleague to us all and a great mentor to all young Gardai. He was a loyal and much appreciated member of An Garda Siochana and he took great pride in wearing the uniform.
“He loved the outdoor life especially gardening, shooting, fishing and of course The Bog. Mostly he loved his family and was very proud of you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. He can rest now in the heavenly arms of his late wife Teresa.May his gentle soul rest in peace. On a personal note, Dick thanks for been a wonderful friend and colleague.”
His RIP.ie notice reads: Predeceased by his wife Teresa, his parents Michael and MaryAnn, his brothers Michael, Jimmy and Martin, his sisters Annie and Maudie and his daughter-in-law Mairin (Lydon O'Hora).
Dick will be forever missed by his daughters, Mary, Anne Handy(Clara), Bernadette (Oatfield, Cappatagle), Angela Poland (Aughrim), his son Michael, his brother Pat (Parke), his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, sons-in-law Niall and Ron, Bernadette's partner Ivan, his adored grandchildren Sorcha, Emma, Mark, Cian, Jeff and Myles, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and devoted friends.