The Late Mel McCann Mel McCann, originally from Carrigallen and a former member of An Garda Síochána, passed away recently on Easter Sunday at his home in Wicklow town. Born in Carrigallen on August 23 1934, where his father was a local garda. Mel always had a deep affection for his hometown and lasting memories of his youth there, playing handball and swimming in the lake, fishing and hunting with his close friends. Following in the footsteps of his father he joined An Garda Síochána in 1957 and was first stationed in Pearse Street in Dublin. In the early days of his service, Mel was an official Garda driver and drove people like John F. Kennedy, Princess Grace, Walt Disney and Eamon De Valera. During this time, he was also a keen member of the Royal Shakespeare Society and had small parts in films such as "The Blue Max" and 'Shake Hands with the Devil'. Mel was also a keen sportsman. In his youth he played all the Gaelic games, and also excelled at athletics, badminton and squash. He was a member of the first ever Garda football team, and maintained an avid interest in sports throughout his life. From Pearse Street, Mel was transferred to County Longford, where he served in Lanesborough, Longford Town and Ardagh. Apart from is usual duties, Mel undertook many other initiatives to improve the lives of the local people, including setting up a CB radio system for elderly people living on their own which allowed them to communicate not only with him at home, but also with one another. He was also the driving force behind setting up Ireland's first neighbourhood watch scheme. When, towards the end of his career in the force, he transferred back to Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park, the tributes to him in the local press in Longford are a lasting testament to how many lives he touched with his great kindness and compassion. Mel passed away on Easter Sunday at his home in Wicklow town, where he had lived for 12 years. One of his sons, David McCann is a member of the local gardai and is affectionately known as 'the Bobby on the bike.' Mel is survived by his wife Joan, his six children, his family in Leitrim and around the world and his many friends. His funeral took place in Wicklow, where local An Garda Síochána provided traffic and escort duties, and saluted the final journey of this uniquely good-hearted and honourable man. Courtesy of the Wicklow People 6th May 2009 Tweet

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