A BRIDGE IN Wicklow is to be named in honour of Ciarán Jones, the Garda who died tragically during flooding in October last year.
The bridge at Ballysmuttan near Manor Kilbride in Blessington will be officially opened and dedicated this afternoon, at the suggested of area councillors in West Wicklow.
Members of Garda Jones’ family will be present and are expected to play some music. The Garda Commissioner and Cathaoirleach Sylvestor Bourke will speak and a plaque will be unveiled to commemorate his bravery.
The 25-year-old was off-duty at the time and was trying to help people affected by the floods when he was pulled into the River Liffey. His body was recovered at Ballyward Bridge at Manor Kilbride.
Sylvestor Bourke told TheJournal.ie that Jones was very well liked in the area and was well known as a senior county footballer.
Bourke said the tragedy must be heartbreaking for his family and he confirmed that members of the family will provide musical accompaniment during the commemoration ceremony. Jones is survived by his parents and his brother and sister.
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Justice Minister Alan Shatter were among the mourners who attended his funeral last October.
The scene at Ballysmuttan Bridge in County Wicklow in October 2011 where young off duty garda Ciaran Jones was swept to his death in a surge of the River Liffey across the bridge as he tried to warn a motorist not to cross.Photo: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland
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