Grim death has once again claimed another of our dear comrades, in the person of the late "Sergt. Thomas Griffin who was callously and brutally done to death on the 6th of May 1924, at Cregg, Carrick-on-Suir, while attempting to arrest an armed scoundrel.

Let us briefly review the circumstances of his death.

On the evening of Monday the 6th a Garda Collins was on duty at Cregg, outside Carrick-on-Suir. He came across a man cycling on the footpath. This man was a stranger to him, so he approached the man to ask for his name and address, but instead of coming down off his bicycle as any ordinary citizen would do, this individual put on speed. Garda Collins pursued him and when they came to close quarters the man pulled out a Revolver from his coat pocket and fired at the Garda.

This matter was reported to Sergeant Griffin, who, in accordance with his duties , had enquiries made. In Consequence of information received, the Sergeant accompanied by Garda John Murrin proceeded to the house in the district where he believed the culprit was residing.

Having entered the house, and finding it empty, he and Garda Murrin proceeded to the back of the house.

The dying declaration of our comrade, completes the tragic story.

I saw someone around the hay. John came around from the back. The fellow put out his head. I saw him put his hand into his pocket and pill out a .45 Colt Revolver. I then saw him putting his hand behind his back. I advanced towards him and I was speaking to him, and when I got to within about 7 paces of him, he cocked the revolver and fired three shot's at me. I then fell to the ground. I then heard him firing shots at Garda Murrin. I believe the man who fired the shots to be "Sonny O' Dwyer" I don't remember any more after that.

It remains yet to be proved who is the culprit, but this we say and all decent-minded citizens will agree, that it is hard to understand the mentality of such a person. He is a enemy of society, a enemy of civilization, and a violator of the Fifth Commandment. And if there be any one found who is assisting him to evade the penalty attached to his crime, not alone do they come into the same categorybut they can only be described as Devil's incarnate. " Such outcast would not help the Country in the advance of Freedom".

They were a disgrace to their Country and they are responsible for lending truth to the statement made often in Foreign Countries that the Irish people were a bunch of Barbarians.

The expression of sympathy received by the Chief Commissioner, and the immense crowds who attended the Funeral obsequies are proof, if proof is be needed , that the crime is condemned . But then, such manifestations of sorrow are not sufficient. The Garda are an Unarmed organization they are not political, and we have repeatedly stated in this Journal, they are ready to serve any Government set up by the Irish People. Their duty is solely confined to the prevention and detection of crime. Why then is it that there is not more co-operation between them and the people with whom they serve, and for whom it must be said are prepared to lay down their lives as the Deaths of Garda Phelan and Garda Halloran, Sergt. Woods and our latest Martyr Sergt. Griffin bear testimony.

Before we gained our Freedom, it was a good argument to put forward for our want of co-operation with the Police force then obtaining , to state that that same force was the agent of a foreign oppressor; that that same force had for it's primary object the suppressor of the political aspirations of the people. But surely today none but the criminal can use this argument. Of course criminals will use it as they must have some excuse , no matter how ridiculous to support there misdeeds. And it is to be regretted that there are a few - Thank God they are very few- but still we have those amongst us who will listen to the Suducer. In no other Country in the World could a Murderer escape except in Ireland, which boast of being " A Land of Saint's and Scholars"