This article is from page 6 of the 2013-07-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Clare’s most experienced and high profile detectives who passed away suddenly on Wednesday while out jogging.
Detective Sergeant Michael Moloney (51), who was better known to many as Mick, had been out jogging in Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park when he was found in a collapsed state by a passer-by.
The emergency services were called but Det Sgt Moloney was pronounced dead at the scene.
The married father of three was central to a number of high profile cases in Clare in the last number of years, and was the lead detective in the infamous “Lying Eyes” case which resulted in the jailing of Ennis woman Sharon Collins for conspiring to murder her partner PJ Howard and his two sons in 2008.
Sgt Moloney was also one of the lead investigators in two separate murders, which concluded just two weeks ago, with the conviction of Joe Heffernan and Colm Deeley.
Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins (FG), who is also Chair of the Joint Policing Committee, described the late Garda as an “exceptional officer who served the force and his community with distinction”.
A Galway native Det Sgt Moloney served as a member of an Garda Síochana for more than 30 years, firstly in Dublin and later as a sergeant in Kilrush and Ennis.
He is survived by his wife Sadie, daughters Dáire and Orla, son Kevin, sister Mary, brothers Jerry and Diarmuid, mother-In-Law Teresa, extended family and friends.
Tributes were also paid at Ennis District Court on Friday. Ennis Courthouse manager Josephine Tone described Det Sgt Moloney as a “devoted father” and “devoted husband” to wife Sadie who attends court frequently in her work with the Probation Services.
Speaking on behalf of the Clare Law Association, Solicitor John Casey said Det Sgt Moloney was a “gentleman from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, both professionally and personally.” “He will be terribly and sadly missed,” added Mr Casey.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said there had been a “huge sense of shock and sadness at the Garda station” since Wednesday. He said Det Sgt Moloney was a “very accomplished investigator” and that Gardaí very grateful for the messages of support they had received from the local community.
Judge Patrick Durcan said a sudden death is a terrible thing that strikes people in a particular way.
He said it was obvious that Det Sgt Moloney was “intensely driven and intensely professional”. He said the entire community should be grateful for the dedication of gardaí like Det Sgt Moloney.
Following a large funeral in Ennis, Det Sgt Moloney was laid to rest in Templemaley Cemetery Barefield on Saturday afternoon.