The Late Stephen Burke On May 14th, 1959, a group of young men made their way from the Phoenix Park gates to the Garda Depot in Dublin. One of these men was more conspicuous than the rest for two reasons; firstly, he was several inches taller than the rest, and secondly he carries an enormous suitcase described by an observer as a wardrobe with a handle. A giraffe peeped across the fence of his compound and across from the Depot probably thinking there was a companion approaching. He was disappointed. The tall figure with his companions turned in the Depot gate and shortly afterwards Recruit Garda Stephen Burke No. 13891 from Cashel in Connemara was enrolled as a member of the Garda Síochána. Little did we think then that this tall, affable, rather shy young man would touch and have such an effect on the lives of so many people. On the October 11th 1959, on completion of training, Stephen was posted to Fitzgibbon Street in Dublin but, being a country man at heart, when the opportunity rose, he come west to Kilconly. He only spent three years in Kilconly and after a couple of more years in Cloonfad, he came to Tuam in 1967. Although he only spent a short time in Kilconly and Cloonfad, he made such an impression on the people there that he is still spoken of with affection. He often spoke of his affinity for the people of both places. Both Michael Barrett, Stephen' s roommate in the Depot, and I came to Tuam in 1967, and renewed an acquaintance with him and developed a friendship that was to last for 35 years. It was with profound shock and bewilderment that I heard of his untimely death in Brussels on October 11th 2002 which was also ironic as that was 43 years to the day that he passed out of the Depot. During my time in Tuam I have witnessed a lot of sad occasions, but the funeral of Stephen Burke was something that is hard to describe. People seemed to be numbed by the suddenness of his death and on the long and lonely walk from the Cathedral to Athenry Road, on eerie silence seemed to engulf the town as all doors were closed and most blinds were drawn. Silent tears were shed and people talked in whispers. The town was saying 'goodbye' to a friend in the only way it knew how. The later part of Stephen's service was as Juvenile Liaison Officer for the Roscommon-Galway East Division, and it was at this work that his kindness towards young people and his concern for them showed the true nature of his personality. I never heard his say a wrong word about any young person and he had an ability to block out the negative and look for the positive. Stephen led a very devout Christian life, being a daily Mass goer. He Christianity was in no way superficial, but manifested itself in his attitude to people both in public and in his private life. During his years in Tuam he became involved in numerous charitable organisations and was always available to do any kind of work pertaining to those organisations, but at no time would he look for credit or embrace the limelight. On the social side he had two passions, one being the local cycling club to which he dedicated much of his spare time, and the other was Gaelic football or more precisely, Galway football. He attended all Galway's triumphs and in this regard he had a one-track mind. If a Galway player committed a foul and the referee gave a free, he shouted at the referee. If an opposing player fouled and the referee gave a free he shouted at he player. When Galway were playing, it was impossible to talk football logic with him, as he saw only one team. As was evident by the crowds that attended his funeral, he will be missed over a wide area and by numerous people, but the real loss will be felt by his wife Mary and their three sons, Martin, Conal and Stephen. To reach the standards that Stephen reached in his professional, social and private life would be beyond the scope of most of us, but any contact that people had with him could only enhance their perception of sincerity, goodness and kindness. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam Owen Durkan The late Stephen Burke is survived by wife Mary, sons Martin, Conal and Stephen, sisters, brothers, father-in-law, brothers -in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand-children, God children, relatives and many friends Courtesy of the Tuam Herald November 2002 Tweet

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