Image source: Scoil Phobail Bhéara Facebook
A REAL outpouring of loss and grief extended across the county bounds over the past 24 hours as news filtered through of the sudden death of Aidan Cremin, a well-known Beaufort native who was a popular member of An Garda Siochana based in West Cork.
A former student at St Brendan’s College, Aidan worked for many years in Moriarty’s Photographic Store on New Street before a career in the force beckoned.
He joined An Garda Siochana in 2000 and he was first stationed in Hackballs Cross in Dundalk before transferring to Adrigole in West Cork in 2007. When that station closed, he transferred to Casstletownbere in 2013 and he has been stationed there since.
An avid sportsman, Aidan loved Gaelic games, playing club football in both Kerry and Cork, and he also played soccer, participating over many years in the Killarney summer soccer sevens tournament when he was part of a star-studded Fuji Snapshots team.
Beaufort GAA officials said Aidan represented the club with distinction at all underage levels, winning district and county titles.
He was also a prominent player on the team that won the Mid Kerry Senior Championship in 1998 and the County Intermediate Centenary Championship in 2000.
“Aidan gave great service to the club for many years, coaching a number of juvenile teams and he also served as senior secretary,” the club said in a statement.
Since moving to West Cork, Aidan was very involved with Ardigole GAA Club as a player and, later, as a respected coach.
In an emotional statement, the club said everybody was devastated at the news of the untimely passing of the man who was affectionately known as The Sheriff.
“Nothing we are about to say will do Aidan and his contribution, positivity and all-round work ethic towards us as a club and community justice. Aidan was a huge presence within our small club and parish as a whole,” the club said.
He transferred to the Adrigole as an intermediate player in 2008 and that set the scene for his huge commitment to the club as well as Beara teams and county development squads for many years.
“While he had a huge interest in many sports, GAA was his passion. He spent endless hours, rain or shine, in the GAA pitch training teams as well as driving some of our younger players to games and sometimes county training sessions,” the club said.
“Anything GAA related Aidan was there. While he was never a man that looked for praise or recognition, he was always quietly working away in the background of many fundraising events or events run by the club”.
“His loss is going to be immense to us as a club and a parish and something we will feel for many years to come. He has, however, left a huge legacy for which we will be eternally grateful to him for,” Ardigole GAA said.
Image source: Kilkerley Emmets Facebook
His former club in Dundalk, Kilkerley Emmets, also paid tribute, describing him as an “all round good guy”.
Scoil Phobail Bhéara in Castletownbere said Aidan’s commitment to his work and community couldn’t be measured and he played a huge role in the lives of young people through his involvement in the schools and the GAA.
“Aidan has been part of our school community in a number of roles over the years – football, mentoring, advice and community policing. His influence will leave a lasting imprint on many within our community.” the statement read.
The school said: “We will remember him for all his work but also for his smile, banter and a sense of fun. Today is a day to recall the happy days with Aidan, share stories, memories and photos while made more difficult in these strange and difficult times”.
A book of condolence for Aidan has been opened at the Garda Station in Castletownbere.
“Aidan was much loved by our little family here and by the wider community and to say we are devastated is an understatement,” one colleague said.
A live-streamed remembrance service, organised by his garda colleagues, was held for Aidan in Monkstown Parish Church this Thursday.
The Garda chaplain remarked: “If An Garda Siochana needed a template for the ideal community Garda it was Aidan”.
He said colleagues remember him as a gentleman, a legend, a great colleague and a great friend who was kind, unassuming and always had a wry twinkle in his eye.
He is survived by his mother, Eileen and brothers Sean, Michael, Brian and Padraig, sisters-in-law Nina and Ruth and nephews and niece.
KillarneyToday.com: Your reliable online daily news service. Email: news@killarneytoday.com. Call: 087-2229761
