Garda Thomas F Joyce

Garda T. F. Joyce Glann, Oughterard
There was widespread regret in the Buncrana area of Donegal and the Oughterard area of Co. Galway and in the Garda Divisions of which these two areas are part on the occasion of the tragic death on Sunday, December 28th of Garda Thomas Joyce, son of of Mr. Thomas and Mrs Florence Joyce, Shanavaugh, Glann, Oughterard
Garda Joyce last seen alive at 11:20am on December 28 by Mrs. Nuala Higgins, his fiance’s mother, at whose home he was spending the work-end, he then left to cycle to Mass, His body was discovered about 11.30am. In about four inches of water, and his bicycle a few yards in front.
He was widely known through.out the entire Inishowen Peninsula, where he came in contact with many people in his work as official patrol- car driver, to which position be had been promoted after his transfer from Letterkenny, where he was first posted.

Garda Joyce, aged 24 of a very well-known, and highly respected family is the Oughterard Parish. He was educated at St. Mary’s College, Galway, and Joined the Force in 1955, He was keen athlete and played football with the Irish Junior Club in the Donegal championships. Rev. Fr. O’Hagen celebrated requiem Mass on Monday morning at St. Mary’s Oratory when the church had a very large congregation, Fr. O’Hagen speaking after Mass, paid a high tribute to the late Garda for his exemplary conduct and the christian life he led while in Buncrana and said that he had been asked y the deceased’s father, who was deeply moved by the manifestation of grief, and sympathy shown to him by everybody, to express has sincere heartfelt gratitude to Superintendent Jackson, Sergeant Ginty and members of the Buncrana Station, and the Division of Innishowen and the citizens of Buncrana who had been so wonderful to him and his family, in their hour of trial.

After Mass the coffin, draped in the Tricolour, was borne by the late Garda’s two brothers, John Paul, and Patrick Henry and two of his friends, and colleagues, Sean Joyce, and James Beirne, some distance from the church.
There was a guard of honour from the Division under Sergeant Ginty, Buncrana. Large crowds followed the remains a great distance from the town, Rev. John Fitzgerald a personal friend of the late Garda and some of friends to travelled the entire distance to Oughterard. There the remains were received by a guard of honour of the local Garda and a large crowd, who accompanied the remains to t Bridget’s Church, Glann.

Rev. John Fitzgerald celebrated Requiem Mass on Tuesday morning. Rev. Fr. Fitzgerald said that he heard Garda Joyce’s confession on Christmas night and he knew that he received Holy Communion on Christmas morning and that he died on his way to Mass, He added that be had known Garda Joyce as personal friend whose exemplary Christian life and shining example was an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact. Rev. Fr. Fitzgerald officiated at the graveside assisted by Rev. Dr. Hainnify. After After Mass the coffin, draped in the Tricolour was again borne by deceased’s two brothers and two of his colleagues to the hearse. The guard of honour under Inspector Costello again accompanied the remains to the family burial ground at Faughnakilla followed by a huge number of cars, cyclists and pedestrians from all parts of west Galway.
The chief mourners were, Mr. Thomas Joyce (father): Mrs. Florence Joyce (mother); John Paul: Patrick Henry, Honora E, Teresa and Mrs. Mary Clancy (sisters); P. J Clancy (brother-in-law); Stephen J. Joyce (U.S.A.); Michael M. Joyce (USA) Joseph A. Joyce, USA (brothers) Mrs. Margaret Joyce, USA. (sister in-law); Mr. and Mrs. John Higgins and Miss Eleanor Higgins (Buncrana).

Connacht Tribune, Saturday, January 10, 1959 – Page 7