The Final Beat : Gardai Who Died in the Line of Duty

No member of the Garda Siochana died in the line of duty between 1942 and 1970. Since that date, fourteen members of the force have paid the supreme price. ‘The Final Beat’ is their story. From Richard Fallon, who died while trying to stop a bank robbery in Dublin, to Jerry McCabe, shot during an armed raid in Co. Limerick in 1996, the story covers almost thirty years. Each case recalls acts of conspicuous bravery, as members of the Gardai ‘usually unarmed’ were faced by violent and ruthless criminals. Liz Walsh tells the stories of these fourteen brave men. Her book is a reminder that the Gardai daily place their lives on the line in an increasingly violent society. For each of the dead Gardai, there are hundreds of others who perform acts of quiet heroism in the service of the community. ‘The Final Beat’ is a compelling read. It is a reminder of the debt we owe to the Gardai and of the real risks that they run on our behalf.