Hundreds of mourners on Thursday paid their respects at Galway Cathedral to "gentle giant" Garda Shane Cuffe, who was tragically found dead at Clifden Garda Station on Easter Monday.
The funeral for Garda Cuffe (39) had to be moved from his parish of Moycullen, due to the size of the congregation, who heard of the “shock and devastation” at the father-of-two’s passing.
Garda Cuffe’s body was discovered by colleagues at Clifden Garda Station on Monday, after he suffered an apparent heart attack.
Concelebrating Canon Michael McLoughlin spoke of “providence”, when he noted that the emotional funeral took place on the same date as Garda Cuffe’s late father, Vincent’s, birthday.
The eldest of four brothers, Garda Cuffe leaves behind his wife, Eimear, and their two young sons, Conor and Evan.
Fr Sean Larkin, who married the Garda to his wife, Eimear, said he was a “gentle giant”.
“He appeared to me a strong and healthy young man with a lovely wife and two young boys. He had everything to live for. Sometimes death is a bit like that, though. It doesn’t make sense, everything is rubble and thrown into confusion.”
Offertory mementos were presented through a Morris Minor model car, representing his passion for vintage cars; a silver tray, representing his commitment to professional and personal service; a Garda badge for his work and a children’s book, Goodnight Moon, in honour of his love for his wife and children.
Officer Commanding, First Infantry Battalion Lieutenant Caimín Keogh represented the Defence Forces, while Acting Garda Commissioner Donal Ó Cualáin, Garda Cuffe’s uncle, presented his widow with a tricolour on the steps of the cathedral, prior to his burial at Moycullen cemetery.