Tributes paid to Limerick man and former garda following sad passing

“LIMERICK is a lot poorer without his presence”.

The words of Independent councillor Frankie Daly in tribute to the late Ballinacurra man Peter Quinn, who has sadly passed away.

A former garda, based at Henry Street in the city centre, Peter, who was married to Carmel, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family.

Although he served An Garda Síochána with distinction, it was his work in his retirement which has seen him remembered lovingly across Limerick.

He founded the Tuesday Night Club for senior citizens, which for years met in the Pery Hotel at Glentworth street in the city.

Each year at Christmas, a special meal was held, with singers, a raffle and a three-course meal.

Peter knew a big problem for people in their later years was loneliness, and he was determined to ensure nobody was allowed to feel this way.

He also had a focus on the safety of elderly people in their homes and helped promote an alarm alert system for those who wanted to continue living independently.

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Long-serving Fianna Fail TD Willie O’Dea, who always attended the senior citizens Christmas party with wife Geraldine, said:

“He was a wonderful man. The time and effort he expended in making life less lonely for the elderly was just phenomenal.

There was many an occasion where I urged him, myself, to slow down. He wouldn’t: he made a commitment and was going to see it through no matter what.”

Councillor Daly was also in attendance at these Christmas dinners, and often took to the microphone to perform a song or two.

He said: “He was a guy who gave. He wanted to bring joy to people’s lives. He made sure everyone was comfortable and looked after. It’s very sad. I’ll always think of Peter as a great Limerick man. Someone who had a great impact on the lives of others, the poor, those vulnerable and elderly – he just looked out for them.

“With lonely people, he put his arm around them, let them come in, and made them feel welcome and warm. He had the true spirit of Christmas in his heart.”

Michael Hartnett, who was involved in the Friends of the Elderly group with Peter said of him: “He changed people’s lives for the better. He was a gentleman. Everyone was included.”

In a joint tribute, Senator Maria Byrne and her mother Helen wrote: “Peter always put others first. He touched the lives of so many people he will be sadly missed by many.”

While there were also many words of remembrance from his colleagues in the gardai over the years.

One memory from Michael Gallagher, a former garda at Henry Street station described him as a “true gentleman” adding it was “a privilege” to have known him.

Peter Quinn was laid to rest at Mount St Lawrence cemetery after requiem Mass in St Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue.

He is deeply regretted by his loving wife, Carmel and daughters Rosemarie and Deirdre.

Sadly missed by his loving son-in-law Michael, his adored grandchildren, brothers Martin, Eugene, Tony and Gerry, sisters

Mary, Ann, Nora, Margaret and Patricia, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends.

May he rest in peace.