The funeral of Lt. Col. Jack Griffin took place in Thurles this afternoon attended by over 2,000 mourners, many of whom joined the cortège on the walk from his home at Mayfield, Clongour to the Cathedral of The Assumption, Cathedral Street, in Thurles.
The funeral cortège, flanked by a Guard of Honour made up of members from his beloved Thurles Sarsfields GAA Club, arrived at the Cathedral of The Assumption at 12.45pm for Requiem Mass, con-celebrated by Fr Martin Hayes, Thurles and Fr P.J. Somers, chaplain to the Defence Forces at 1:00pm.
On arrival at Thurles Cathedral, Lt Col Griffin’s remains was greeted by members of the Defence Forces, many of whom he had trained and served with throughout his military career.
Present at the ceremony were the Irish Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, together with TD’s; Michael Lowry and Tom Hayes. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D Higgins were both represented by their aide-de-camps.
Commissioned in 1988, prior to his death Lt Col Griffin had almost 29 years experience in the Defence Forces. A former instructor at Ireland’s military college, he had accumulated vast experience through his military service overseas; partaking in three tours of duty in Lebanon, and had been based in the Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad and the Ivory Coast in Africa.
A Physical Education graduate of Limerick University, Lt Col Griffin was heavily involved in training GAA teams and was a selector with Thurles Sarsfields local GAA club here in his native Thurles; indeed Lt Col Griffin had won a county minor hurling medal with his local Thurles Sarfields club in 1985, latter who also recently retained their Senior County Hurling Championship.
Following Requiem Mass the earthly remains of Lt. Col. Griffin were removed to his last resting place in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, on a military gun carriage, flanked by officers and men, all colleagues from the Irish Defence Forces, which included Irish Navy and Air Force personnel.
Comdt. Joseph Gleeson, himself a native of Thurles, commanded the Military Guard of Honour and the ten man graveside Firing Party.
Tonight in Thurles our thoughts are particularly with his devastated wife Trisha, daughters Laragh, Isabelle and Emma, and his immediate siblings.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.
A very fitting farewell for a true gentleman and stalwart of his native home.
God speed Jackie and may you find true peace.
Ar Dheis dé go raibh a h-anam.?