RIP: Longford mourns death of accomplished footballer and ‘treasured’ Detective Garda

When one of your contemporaries passes away it always hits hard and this was indeed the case when on Friday, July 18, Brendan Fayne, Drumcooley, Edenderry, Co Offaly passed away at Tullamore Regional Hospital.

Brendan, a son of the late John and Bernadette Fayne, Cullentra, Lanesboro made his mark wherever he went in his life.

He was a corner back on the history-making Rathcline Championship team in 1976 and represented Longford with great pride at different grades; he also won a Leinster with his college St Mel’s.

I vividly remember Brendan calling into me in the shop coming home after receiving his Leaving Cert and he said “that’s it I am off to the Gardaí now”.

Brendan always had the ambition to join the Gardaí and as it transpired the Gardaí got one of the very best when they got him.

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He had a wonderful personality for the job and his intuitive hands on approach in dealing with people as well as his crime correction rather than punishment approach meant that Brendan took many people off the wrong path before they got caught up in wrongdoings.

After he graduated he was stationed in Arklow for a short but very lucky time as that is where he met Moyvane, Co Kerry lady, Mary, who would later become his wife.

In 1975 Brendan was transferred to Edenderry that was to become his and Mary’s home for the past 50 years until he retired as a Detective Garda – he was a highly respected and treasured member of the Garda force in Edenderry.

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As a kid cycle trips to the Fayne family home was always a joy where fun and banter and roaming the fields was done with true childish exuberance and everyone joined in and there were many happy memories.

Brendan was one for fun and craic no matter where you travelled with him and his great personality ensured that he always left a lasting memory. He was a true friend; one that was always there when you needed an arm over the shoulder or to lift a gloomy situation with one of his memorable quips.

Following on from Rathcline he went on to play with Edenderry and become very involved with the club before taking up golf.

Brendan, no matter where he went, held legendary status such was the quality of the man. He was a real family man and his life centered around Mary, his family, grandchildren, his garden and their dog.

The attendance of Lanesboro people at his reposing at his home on Monday, July 21 and again at his Funeral Mass on Tuesday, July 22 showed the respect Brendan and the Fayne family are held in our community and this was deeply appreciated and commented on by his family.

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Brendan was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining St Mary’s Parish Church, Edenderry on Tuesday.

To his wife Mary, daughter Miriam, sons David, Derek and John, Miriam's partner Barry, daughter in law Una, Derek's partner Denise, grandchildren Hannah, Hayden, Callum, Ben, Daire and Lauren, sister Teresa, brothers Patrick, Jack, Albert and Joe, brothers and sisters in law, nephews and nieces, extended family, neighbours, friends and retired and serving members of an Garda Síochána we extend our deepest sympathy.

May Brendan Rest In Peace.