RIP: Peace group pays tribute to Laois Garda with 'unflinching sense of humanity'

A group which supports the victims and survivors of the Troubles has paid a poignant tribute to a Laois Offaly garda who survived an IRA bomb near Portarlington in the 1970s.

The South East Fermanagin Foundation (SEFF) say they are a group that supports victims of the Northern Troubles across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and beyond. 

The Foundation's director Kenny Donaldson, paid tribute to the garda who was attached to Jim Cannon, formerly of the Laois Offaly Garda Division, who helped the foundation for many years.

“We are so deeply sorry at learning of the death of Jim Cannon, Retired Garda Sergeant of Portarlington, Laois.

“Jim and his wife Mary, have been much-loved members of SEFF for many years. Jim touched the hearts of many of us through his unflinching sense of humanity, his quiet courage and steely determination.

“Jim has been involved with SEFF for approximately a decade and has been at the forefront of campaigning for appropriate acknowledgement for victims/survivors based in the Republic of Ireland. Age was no barrier to Jim continuing to fight for what was right," said Mr Donalson.

The former garda had first-hand experience of the damage done during the troubles. He was seriously injured as a result Provisional IRA attack in 1976 at Garryhinch near Portarlington which resulted in the murder of Garda Michael Clerkin and the serious injury of three of Jim’s other colleagues.

SEFF say that in 2017 Jim and his colleagues were belatedly awarded the Scott medal for their bravery and courage - an honour which was 41 years in the waiting but was something which Jim and his colleagues cherished.

Despite this, SEFF's director said Jim did not retreat from life and was a key part of the foundation. 

“Jim was a man who had a thirst for life, he lived it and he lived it well - and always with his special wife Mary by his side.

“Jim was a loyal supporter of SEFF and what we stand for as an organisation, and he was so grateful for the support he and Mary received from our organisation and different team members.

“He was a man you just wanted to spend time with; he understood Northern Ireland very well, and he respected all traditions. I have many fond memories of conversations with him, at our respites, meetings but also often over the phone. His personality was infectious, his sharp wit and his playful mind - plus he could really hold a tune.

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“We are so pleased that he and Mary were able to be present for the special reception event given by former President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, to SEFF earlier this year, when he made the effort to recognise the sacrifices of innocent victims based across the island. This day mattered very much to Jim," he said.

“Jim was someone who didn’t stand idly by and get frustrated with things; he worked hard in all situations to improve outcomes - as a Garda Officer, as a victim/survivor campaigner, through all his different interests. He was a proud hurler and was very talented in his younger years," he said. MORE BELOW PHOTO

Jim Cannon and SEFF members outside the building which was built near the site of the Garryhinch attack in 1976.

SEFF extended their sympathies to Jim's children, Padraig, Marie and Carmel, son-in-law PJ and daughter-in-law Susan and his sister Maureen, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the wider family.

“For Jim, the most treasured aspect of his life was his family, his Mary, who was his soulmate in life and never left his bedside right to the end, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who he was so very proud of," said Mr Davinson.

READ ALSO: Jim Cannon 'a benchmark of courage' Laois Offaly Garda Division pays respects

Describing Jim as a man with a deep Christian faith, the SEFF director said Jim was unique.

“Legend is often an overused term, but for Jim it doesn’t come close to reflecting the special human being he was. If the world had more Jim Cannon’s, it would stand a real chance of reaching its potential.

“We pray for the family and offer them our continued support in the difficult times ahead,” concluded Mr Donaldson.