In Pictures: Limerick garda inspector inspires challenge for two charities

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A CYCLING club made the impossible possible just like the man they pedalled to the metal for.

The Mass Rockers cycling club, based in west Limerick, raised €17,500 for two charities chosen by their member, Inspector Niall Flood.

The Newcastle West-based garda inspector was involved in a serious road traffic collision while cycling in Dromcollogher in June, 2022 which left him with life-changing injuries.

The Mass Rockers wanted to do some fundraising for charities that helped Insp Flood, and his wife Margaret, now that he is on a good path to recovery.

Michael O’Connor, joint treasurer, said the determination and mental strength shown by Niall since the incident is “a complete and utter inspiration”.

“I’ve never heard a bad word from his mouth over what happened. The way he has dealt with - I couldn't speak highly enough about the man,” said Michael.

Kieran Sheehan, Mass Rockers secretary, came up with the idea of a turbo bike event encompassing cycling 800kms in 24 hours.

“That’s an average of 33.5kms an hour which is fair clipping. It was an impossible challenge which turns out wasn’t so impossible,” said Michael. Eighteen Mass Rockers completed the challenge in the Broadford Enterprise Centre before Christmas.

Insp Flood was one of many to cheer on the riders in the middle of the night.

Michael said their goal was to raise €1,000 each for two charities picked by the Floods - Brú Columbanus, home from home accommodation to relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork and St Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West.

“You’d know from talking to Margaret the difference it made to be close to Niall at that time when he was airlifted to Cork University Hospital (CUH). Following on from three months in CUH, he got great care in St Ita’s where as a patient in the rehabilitation ward he learned to walk with his prosthetic leg,” said Michael.

They nearly hit their €2,000 target after a table quiz in Neenan’s pub in Broadford where €1,500 was raised. The Mass Rockers also set up a GoFundMe page and they had to keep moving the target as fast as the 18 cyclists were pedalling.
Michael said they got donations from €10 up to €500.

“It took off during the 24 hours. We had buckets in the enterprise centre with people donating and cheering them on. There was a great atmosphere and the sense of community in west Limerick was outstanding. There were also people ringing us from Kanturk and Millstreet to find out where Broadford was as they wanted to come down and support Niall. The final total was €17,500.

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“It would restore your faith in humanity to see that level of support to support two good causes for a good man going through a terrible time. The gratitude we felt for the support we got can’t be put into words - it took our breath away,” said Michael.

Last year, Margaret Flood handed over a cheque for €12,250 to Critical - the Emergency Medical Response Charity - from the 100 Day Walking Challenge which she completed with beloved dog Toby.

The speed with which Insp Flood was taken by air ambulance from the scene was instrumental in saving his life.

A further €8,000 was collected by garda colleagues Detective Garda Jerry O’Sullivan and Sergeant Eric O’Shea, now based in Killarney, who organised a golf classic in Newcastle West Golf Club with proceeds going to the Critical emergency charity.

Cleary's Bar in Newcastle West also donated money to Critical following their Summer Jam music event held in August.