The funeral of Garda Kevin Flatley has heard that he was "adored" by everyone in his family and that the loss they are experiencing is "heartbreaking".
Garda Flatley died after he was struck by a motorcycle while operating a speed checkpoint last Sunday.
The congregation in St Peter and Paul's Church, Balbriggan, was told that the 49-year-old father of two young daughters died in the service of the State keeping the roads safer.
The motorcyclist, who was seriously injured in the collision, was also prayed for at the mass.
Celebrant Fr Dan Joe O'Mahony asked people to show courtesy on the roads in memory of Kevin.
He said driving can "unleash road rage and immoral behaviour" and he asked people to be considerate of others as Kevin was.
"Treat others the way you would like others to treat you," he told the congregation, which included President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and public representatives from all parties.
Former colleague described Garda Flatley as a 'family man'
Fr O'Mahony also said that Garda Flatley worked in community policing in Castleknock in west Dublin before he went into roads policing, and people there were sorry to see him go.
Symbols of Garda Flatley's life that were brought to the altar included an O'Dwyers GAA club top and jersey, a fiddle, his hurley, books, a family bible and a bar of chocolate.
Episcopal vicar of Dublin Fr Richard Sheehy said Kevin Flatley gave his life in the service of the State.
Balbriggan falls silent
Ahead of the mass, Garda Flatley's cortège was escorted by gardaí, led by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, from the funeral home to the church.
'Cherished by everyone who knew him'
Garda Flatley's colleague in Blanchardstown, Garda Rosanna Caul, spoke of the "privilege" of having shared a life with him.
Speaking on behalf of the Flatley family, Garda Caul described him as a "family man". She said that on Sunday, when Garda Flatley was killed on duty, the lives of his wife, Una, and their daughters were changed forever.
"They never imagined when Kevin went to work, that he would not return home," she said.
She said: "Kevin hailed from Newcastle in Co Dublin, where he lived with his loving parents, Michael and Breda, his brother John and his sister Elaine."
Garda Caul said that he was "devastated" by the passing of his sister Elaine in 2014 and was dedicated in keeping her memory alive.
"They are now reunited in heaven and are their family’s guardian angels," she said.
Garda Caul said that Kevin’s friends from Newcastle remember his "infectious smile and laughter".
She said he started his career in Pearse St Garda Station in 1998, where he was a "valued member of his unit" who was "well respected by his colleagues".
After he moved to Blanchardstown Garda Station in 2002, she said his colleagues in Blanchardstown were "a family".
"From the many weddings Una and Kevin attended, to us all having our own families, a bond was created that's never been broken."
She said that Garda Flatley had "always" wanted to be part of the Roads Policing Unit and was "delighted" to make the move in 2018.
She added that he had wanted to take part in the motorcycle course and was "so happy" to achieve that goal.
"He loved working alongside his colleagues in the Roads Policing Unit, and the family know how heartbroken his colleagues are.
"From the start of his career until now, Kevin's focus was always on helping people," she said.
"Kevin had unconditional positive regard for everyone he worked with and every member of the public he encountered.
"Kevin was always the first to offer support to community groups, and the first to put his hand up to volunteer - from the Special Olympics, the Fingal Triathlon Club, to his participation in O'Dwyers GAA, Kevin always puts so much effort and thought into all aspects of his volunteering."
An 'amazing dancer'
Garda Caul said that Kevin took his fitness "very seriously" and had completed a Half Ironman race.
She said that he had also completed many triathlons and loved having his family on the side lines cheering him on, which, she said, always helped him get to the finish line.
"He took this passion into his coaching in O'Dwyers," and that, "Kevin’s drive with O’Dwyers was for his daughters".
"Kevin was never happier than when he was supporting his girls, playing and enjoying the game with their friends."
She said that Kevin Flatley had never been "all about winning", but participation, teamwork, and being part of the community.
"Kevin is safe in the knowledge that the club and the game will remain a part of his girls’ lives."
She said he was as an "amazing dancer".
"If you could steal Kevin from Una for a whirl around the dance floor, you were very lucky,"
She said that this love of music was instilled in his girls, and he had a varied taste from "traditional Irish music to Metallica".
"Music was so important to Kevin; he always tried to learn new things: a new instrument or a new song, he wanted to pass on to his girls that it's always good to learn new things and try new things."
She said that he had a "grá" for the Irish language and culture and had taken additional classes to develop his Gaeilge.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
'Kevin's memory will never be forgotten'
Garda Caul added: "The family are so grateful to those who came to Kevin's aid on Sunday and to everyone who has taken care of Kevin since this time."
She said that the support which his family has received since Sunday has been "phenomenal".
"An Garda Síochána have been unwavering in their care support and help that has been offered to the family since Kevin's passing.
"Kevin's memory will never be forgotten, he is forever in his children's, family's and friends' hearts, and Kevin will always be cherished by everyone who knew him."
Draped in the flag of his beloved O'Dwyers GAA club, where he coached the under 10s, agus de réir an ghrá a bhí aige don Ghaeilge agus ar chultúr, his coffin was carried from the church to the sound of the 'Parting Glass'.
He and his family were then taken under escort by his Roads Policing colleagues for the private family burial at Newcastle, Co Dublin, where he was from.
