By John O'Brien

Following my recent appeal on The Avondhu, the identity of the unknown Garda has been revealed thanks to the numerous calls from all of those who had occasion to work with, run from or simply remember the man who became known as "a gentleman of the highest order". The Garda in question was Martin Brett (RIP) 1903-1988. A native of Portlaw, Co Waterford and despite earlier information, he served in two other Garda stations before coming to Mitchelstown, one was Ballyneety in Co Limerick and the other was Maynooth in Co Kildare.

Martin was widely known as an extremely compassionate Garda and it was these qualities which endeared him to the many local families to whom he had the unenviable task of delivering bad news on occasion down through the years. He lived with his wife in Church St., Mitchelstown and following her death, Martin was fondly cared for by Pat and Breda O'Brien and family at their present home in Church Street. The O'Brien family enjoyed the stories and company of the retired Guard for many years and their fond memories of Martin were echoed by all of those who contacted me after the recent appeal.

Martin visited his home village of Portlaw at every opportunity and it was there he commissioned a well known traveller artist to paint the self-portrait in question, which was later presented to the Mitchelstown station following his death in 1988. Also presented with the portrait was Garda Brett's discharge papers which were noted as "exemplary", a fitting tribute to the many years of compassionate service he had given to the people of Mitchelstown.

Despite his love for and close connections with his home village of Portlaw, Martin's final wish was to be buried amongst the community he had cared for and loved for so many years and so, Garda Martin Brett was laid to rest in Brigown Cemetery in Mitchelstown where his grave is now cared for by those who still fondly remember and speak of "The Gentleman"

Thanks once again to The Avondhu and to all those who took the time to contact me.

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