BY C.J.MCGINLEY
Approximately ninety (90) cyclists, former colleagues and friends of the late Gardai Robbie McCallion Letterkenny Garda Station and Garda Gary McLoughlin who was attached to Buncrana Garda Station, lost their lives whilst on duty in Donegal in 2009 are cycling the length of the country in their honour.
The friends and colleagues are participating in a charity cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head between 7th and 12thSeptember.
The cyclists leave Mizen Head on the evening of Sunday 7th September, travelling via Killarney, Tralee, Tarbert, Lisdoonvarna, Oranmore, Claremorris and Sligo.
On Thursday 11thSeptember, the cyclists will return to County Donegal and will spend the night in Donegal Town.
On Friday 12th September, the cyclists will take part in the final leg of the event, travelling from Donegal town to Malin Head.
A short stop off in Letterkenny has been planned to visit Tara Court on the Ramelton Road, and hold a short reflection in memory of Robbie. The cyclists will then make their way to Lisfannon, Burt where there will be a similar short reflection in memory of Gary.
The benefiting charities are:Donegal Hospice, The Jack & Jill Foundation. Cuisle Centre, Roscommon (Respite Centre run by the Irish Wheelchair Association). Beaumont Hospital ICU.
Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.
The organisers would ask the public to support the event.
Sponsors, including Hegartys Ford, Letterkenny, The Pulse, Letterkenny, Desmond Motors, Derry are thanked sincerely.
The late Garda Robbie Mc McCallion passed away in Beaumont Hospital on 7th April 2009 after being struck by a stolen car at Tara Court ,Letterkenny on 26th March 2009. He was 29 years of age.
The late Garda Gary Mc Laughlin passed away at Letterkenny General Hospital on 14th December 2009 following a traffic collision at Lisfannon, Burt the previous day. He was 24 years of age.
This is the second such event in commemorating the lives of Robbie and Gary, the last one in 2010, over 100 cyclists took part raised approximately €70,000 for both local & national charities.
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