Sergeant stops the beat!
John Carr retires from the Gardaí

After a 30 year career in the Gardaí, Kilcar-born sergeant, John Carr has decided to retire. I met him on the Diamond last weekend; his last day on the beat. Judging by the number of people who came over to wish him the best and shake hands, he is a very popular policeman who will be missed on his regular patrols around the town.
John, a fluent Irish speaker, hails from the Gaeltacht area of Kilcar and, although these days he lives in Ballybofey, he still keeps a farm back in his native area.
He left Kilcar to train for the Gardaí at Templemore, Co Tipperary, in 1973 and was subsequently stationed in Belturbet, Co Cavan, for 4 years, moving on to Ballinamore, Co Leitrim for 1 year and then returning to Castlefinn in his home county for 4 years.
Moving to Castlefinn was fortunate as here John met local girl, Isobel. Romance blossomed; they got married in 1982 and are now settled down in Ballybofey with their three daughters, Avril (21), Keiva (19) and Laura (16). However, after the wedding John had a few more transfers – luckily all within driving distance of Ballybofey! He was transferred to Bundoran for 6 years until ’88, and then stationed in Donegal Town where he rose to the rank of Sergeant ten years later in 1998. He then spent a two and a half year hiatus as Sergeant in Ballyshannon from ‘98-2000, before returning to the Donegal Town barracks where he stayed until his retirement.
Sergeant Carr talked of the many high and low points in his career; “The worst thing is bringing bad news to people, especially in the middle of the night”. He recalled the 10 day search in atrocious weather for teenager Brendan Rushe, “It was a tragic event, but the cooperation and goodwill between the Gardai and the public meant that thankfully the remains of Brendan were recovered”
John also recollected many good experiences – fond memories were recalled of the giant party in 1992 when the triumphant All-Ireland winning team returned home. “I might have turned a bit of a blind eye to the late night partying going on in the town centre” - thankfully, a bit of leniency was shown that night!
Known as a tough guard on after hours drinking he said that one man approached him on the street recently, congratulated him on his retirement - and said that on the rare occasion of a late night session around town, Sergeant Carr’s name was sure to come up! Although in his defence, John said his toughness on the pubs was always well intentioned!
John is a familiar sight to locals & visitors about the town - often to be seen on the beat around his usual haunt of the Diamond, whether checking for tax and insurance, or simply giving directions and advice to tourists. “There is simply no substitute for the man on the beat” he said, “it’s part of the job. I prefer a proactive approach to police work, where the force is visible and integrated into the community, offering small, but important, gestures to the public.”
The Sergeant had close links with Donegal Town long before he was stationed here; his family bought the first car sold from Flood’s Garage and are related to Dom Breslin and the Irwins of hardware fame. “I also spent many good nights in the Pavesi in the past!” he recalled.
He tells the story of a well known county council man who kept the streets of Donegal Town clean for many years and who would often pop in to watch the district court. At one, the Superintendent and Sergeant Carr were dealing with the cases of the day and the Judge kept saying “send that file to the DPP”. Well, the observer was starting to look a bit distressed and, after the proceedings, he approached Sergeant Carr and asked him “Why are you sending the files to the DUP???” The sergeant laughed and said “well, Paisley has to get a look as well!”
John expressed a sincere thanks and gratitude to all the people of the town and surrounds who wished him well on his retirement. He also paid a special thanks to Superintendent John McFadden, the members of the Donegal Town station party and especially his own unit for all their co-operation and hard work over the years – “they were always very supportive. I’m sorry to leave but am looking forward to taking it easy now and being more relaxed. I will concentrate on doing a bit of farming now down in Kilcar.”
A sergeant replacing John will be appointed from another station within 4-6 weeks – best of luck to the new officer who will have big shoes to fill (and lots of miles to do in them!). All in the community wish John Carr the best of luck and many happy years of retirement.

Fr Collum's Silver Jubilee

Josie Campbell and Fr Martin

The Church of the Sacred Heart, Mountcharles, was packed  for the Silver Jubilee Mass for curate Fr Martin Collum on Fri. July 2nd. Four of his fellow priests and friends joined with him to celebrate his 25 years in the priesthood: Fathers Seamus Dagens, Seamus Gallagher, and John McLoone. Such is the modesty of the Falcarragh man that he hoped there would no fuss or fanfare, “I’d a knot in my stomach getting up this morning” he told his congregation. And so the preparations were low key and discreet. The popularity of Fr Martin was evident from the large crowd that attended both the Mass and the reception in the Bluestack Centre. In thanking everyone, including his family members present, he was visibly moved when talking about the poor and under-privileged from Lima in Peru where he lived and worked for 14 years: “they taught me all I know about God”.  
Fr Martin now looks after both Drimarone and Mountcharles, so it was fitting that both communities were co-hosts and shared in the celebrations.
In a candid personal view and with obvious reference to recent events he said that the Church needs to go back to basics and be more community based. “For too long priests were put on a pedestal - the priestly vocation was considered  special. I don’t regard my vocation as better than any of yours - it’s different alright but not any better”.
In a lighthearted gesture Fr Martin’s three colleagues knighted him ‘Count of Monte Carlo’ using a set of new golf clubs, indicating the hope that the investiture would reduce his handicap!  
After Mass, the Ardaghey Pipe Band performed in the grounds of the Church, everyone exchanged good wishes and then headed off to Drimarone for a great night’s fun and craic. The food was excellent and a credit to those who baked, cooked or contributed. Joey Kane welcomed everyone and acted as MC.
Joey and Pat Meehan supplied the music. Jim McManus presented Fr Martin with a second-hand racing bike, set off beautifully with a lick of white emulsion! “We could only afford two wheels this time round”, Jim said “but maybe for your 50th you’ll get another two” (a car maybe!?) Cutting the cake, Fr Martin quipped that possibly then, who knows what changes time will bring, his wife might be with him to do the honours! Nan McGroary presented him with a beautiful engraved mirror.
With all the formalities over, conversation flowed, the dancing started - the people and their priest content in each other’s company - a perfect end to a perfect day.
Finally, one interesting story some of you may not have heard. Fr Martin had just arrived in Mountcharles and went up-town to get a paper. Not a man to wear his priestly garb too often, he was dressed in civies. He got talking to a well known local man whose name shall remain secret (we’ll call him Statoil Stan) “Are you passing through?” Stan asked Fr Martin. “No”, he said “I’ve just moved into town” - “Oh”, Stan said, “And where are you living?” - “I’m living in a big house down the bottom of the village” - “Are you renting or have you bought?”, Stan asked - “Oh neither”, he said, “I was handed the keys and told to stay as long as I wanted” - “Jayzz”, Stan said, “I’m living in this town over 50 years and I never heard of anyone ever doing that. Who was it?” - “A fellow by the name of Dunne”, Fr Martin retorted, quickly walking out the door, leaving Stan stunned - immediately aware that he had just met the new priest! POS

Three Quay Street beauties: the McMahon sisters, Kathleen, Anna and Mary at the Quay St reunion in Dom's Pier 1 last weekend. More photos and text in print edition of Donegal Times.

Jeanie Johnston

Last week the Jeanie Johnston made her maiden visit into Killybegs harbour as part of this year’s tour of Ireland. This follows her successful 2003 North America transatlantic voyage.
After starting her trip at the beginning of June from The Custom House Quay in Dublin, the Jeanie Johnston travelled to Belfast, then made a stop in Derry before visiting Killybegs. Her visit to Killybegs was timed to coincide with the Fish Ireland 2004 exhibition which was being held on the Pier over the weekend of her visit.
This magnificent tall ship is a remarkable replica of the original Jeanie Johnston, built in Quebec in 1847, which carried many Irish emigrants to the USA and Canada in famine times. The replica was built in a shipyard at Blennerville, near Tralee in Kerry, where the superintendent was master shipwright Michael O’Boyle from Mountcharles. Michael proudly took the helm of the Jeanie Johnston as she visited his home port last week.
After berthing on Wednesday, the Jeanie Johnston was converted to a Famine Ship Museum at the Pier – a popular tourist attraction until the following Monday when she departed for Galway. The Museum allowed visitors to experience the sights, atmosphere and sounds of a crowded emigrant ship of the mid 1800s.