By Sean Moriarty

The Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Marie Moloney and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce have led the tributes to Garda Paudie Twohig who lost his battle with cancer on Sunday morning.

Garda Twohig was a hugely popular member of An Garda Síochána and was a much-loved member of the local community since he first arrived here 17 years ago.

Earlier this year, Garda Twohig was diagnosed with a stage four melanoma and he succumbed to the illness on Sunday at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

He leaves his wife Diane (nee Collins) another popular member of An Garda Siochana, and two daughters Tara Grace and baby Olivia Hope who was born on Tuesday last in CUH, just days before Paudie's passing.

“His passing has left a huge void in Killarney where he worked with all the locals in a very fair and professional manner always showing great compassion which made him very popular with the people,” said Mayor Moloney.

“Sadly, his greatest loss will be to his family, to whom on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Killarney, I extend sincere condolences and sympathy, to his wife Diane, his daughter Tara Grace and his newborn baby Olivia Hope, and to his parents John and Maura, to his brothers and sister, to the Collins family and all Paudie's extended family and to his many many friends.

“While Paudie’s death at such a young age will be a shock to all of us, I am aware that his passing will affect his work colleagues very deeply and it will take time to come to terms with. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to all his colleagues in An Garda Síochána. He will be greatly missed as a friend and colleague by so many people.”

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also extended its deep and heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues.

“Paudie was a very valued and respected member of An Garda Síochána in Killarney for several years and the high regard in which he was held has been very evident in the palpable sense of loss and upset experienced in the town since the news of his passing filtered through,” said a Chamber statement.

“Paudie played a very important role in the community and he always set about his duties with a great sense of fairness, purpose and responsibility and, when circumstances allowed, with his trademark smile and good humour.”

In addition, Chamber offered its condolences to Superintendent Flor Murphy and Paudie’s colleagues at Killarney Garda Station on the loss of a valued and respected colleague whose work was greatly appreciated in his adopted hometown.