‘WONDERFUL WOMAN’

Top detective Garda killed in horror cruiser blaze on River Shannon named as heartbroken colleagues pay tribute

• Published: 20:51, 7 Aug 2023
• Updated: 21:38, 7 Aug 2023

A FEMALE detective died today following a fire on a boat on the River Shannon, it has emerged.

Detective Garda Deirdre Finn, in her early 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene in at Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim following the fatal fire on the bank holiday.

Emergency services were called to tackle flames that had engulfed a cruiser on the river.

A woman on another boat ­spotted the blaze at about 7.20am.

A man then attempted to board the boat but couldn’t get near to the vessel because of the flames.

The pair contacted the fire ­brigade and the Gardai who rushed to the scene.

Det Finn’s body was discovered once the fire was distinguished.

It’s understood the officer was the only person on board the boat as it sat docked at the jetty in the mid-western town.

Det Finn was pronounced dead and the scene sealed off for examination as part of the Garda investigation into the incident.

Gardai tonight confirmed a post mortem will take place tommorow.