Respects paid to late Macroom Garda on Killarney's streets today

GARDAÍ and locals lined the streets of Killarney this afternoon to pay their respects to a very popular Cork garda who died after a short illness.

Paudie Twohig, 44, from Ballinagree, near Macroom, passed away on Sunday at Cork University Hospital.

His death comes shortly after the birth of his second daughter. He served as a Garda in Killarney.

In May, his wife and fellow garda Diane spoke about his illness on The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.

At that point, he was undergoing immunotherapy treatment at CUH.

On Facebook, Killarney business Blooms Florists encouraged the people of the town to pay their respects as his remains were driven through.

“Very sad news around Killarney this weekend of the passing of popular local Garda Paudie Twohig,” they stated.

“Paudie’s remains will be brought through the streets of Killarney one last time. As his funeral is being held in Co Cork today many locals will be unable to attend due to Covid restrictions.

“It would be lovely if as many people and local businesses could stand on the streets outside their premises and places of work and give this great fella the goodbye he deserves. Rest in Peace Paudie.”

Locals came out in force for his final journey through the town.

Local gardaí also formed a guard of honour outside Killarney Garda Station yesterday to pay their own tribute.

Tributes poured in online to him, with Aghinagh GAA club saying: “Paudie played with Aghinagh through under age to adult teams and will be sadly missed.

“To his wife Diane, his daughters Tara, Grace, and Olivia, his parents John and Maura, brothers Tadhg and Seán, his sister Mairéad and extended family we offer our sincerest condolences.”

He will be laid to rest in St Colman’s cemetery Macroom today after Requiem Mass in Ballinagree.

Diane, a community garda, is publishing a book, Behind the Mask, which will raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society and Pieta House.