The death has been announced of Civil Defence Commander, Jim Byrne, Athy, Co. Kildare.
Mr. Byrne passed away in the early hours of this morning following a short illness. He was 77 years of age.
He joined Kildare Civil Defence on 12th October 1994.
Report by Declan Keogh
As a volunteer with the national organisation, Jim (Jimmy) always got great value from his role in the Civil Defence and gave back to it, even more, while assisting at many duties of various levels and disciplines, right across county Kildare and the country.
Jim was appointed Commander of the South Kildare unit of the Civil Defence on 23rd March 2009.
He worked in the Batchelors factory in Athy for 42 years and during which time, he served as a SIPTU Shop Steward for 29 years.
His passing comes on the day in which the country recognises and celebrates ‘National Services Day’.
Tributes have been paid by many people in the civil defence and among other emergency and voluntary sector organisations across Ireland.
Leading the tributes, Kildare Civil Defence Officer Patricia McNeela described Jim as a kind-hearted, dedicated and community man. Speaking to Emergency Times this morning, CDO McNeela said; “Commander Jim Byrne was a valued, much loved and respected member of the civil defence, not just in Kildare but among the other units too., He was a kind-hearted, dedicated and community man who gave so much of his time and energy into the civil defence for 32 years. He will sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”
The Athy unit of Kildare Civil Defence was a Boat based unit primarily and grew strong through the years. The River Barrow and the Grand Canal are two waterways which run through the south Kildare heritage town of Athy.
Within Athy’s operational area, the river, stretching from Monasterevin through Athy and onto Carlow, and the canal which flows from Vicarstown in Laois to Maganey at the three counties of Kildare, Carlow and Laois, provide Jim Byrne and his team in the civil defence with a long and wide route for training and exercises, but along these water also came many tragedies over the years which required the civil defence to search for long hours, over many days to recover the bodies of unfortunate souls.
A trained Coxswain, Jim was also a member of the Welfare Unit and is a Drill Instructor.
Civil Defence Officer Patricia McNeela added, “Jim loved being part of the boat unit. He had a wealth of knowledge about the unit and indeed about the waterways. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this sad time and on behalf of Kildare Civil Defence, I thank Commander Jim Byrne for his many years of service, and I extend our condolences to his family.”
Outside of the Civil Defence, Jim was also very active in other community events and committees in his hometown of Athy. He was on the Tidy Towns committee for 19 years and on the Darkness into Light committee alongside Richard Daly and Crona Barry from its inception 11 years ago.
Jim Byrne was also a key member of the Athy Town Promoters committee, alongside Patrica Berry, Garda Sean O’Mahoney and local businessman Philip Manley. Athy Town promoters have hosted and coordinated many events and festivals in Athy over the years.
Speaking to EmergencyTimes.com today, Athy Town Promoters coordinator Patrica Berry described Jimmy as a loyal friend who was always willing to help the community. Patrica Berry said, “We are absolutely devastated by the passing of our dear friend and committee member, Jimmy. He was a loyal friend to us all and was a valued member of Athy Town Promoters for so many years. His dedication, commitment to Festival and events and love for Athy and the wider community were truly immeasurable. Jimmy gave so much of his time, energy and heart to our community, always willing to help and support wherever he could. We will be forever grateful for everything Jimmy did for Athy and for all the memories we shared with him. Thank you, Jimmy, for everything you have done for our community. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.”
In recognition of his work, Jimmy was invited to march in the 1916 commemorations in Dublin, along with 110 other volunteers from Civil Defence branches from around Ireland. He also received a medal from the Minister for Defence for his role in the 1916 Commemorations.
In July 2017, he received a distinguished ‘Local Hero’ award from Kildare County Council’s Municipal District in Athy, along with three other recipients. Speaking at the awards ceremony on the night, Jim said, “The difference in being a volunteer is your wife, your partner or your family, they are the people who allow you to do these things, and the whole secret of being a volunteer is to make up for that disappointment.” Read more
In March 2024, Commander Byrne received his 30-year service medal from the then Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, Micheál Martin T.D.
Following the news of Jim Byrnes death, Civil Defence logos have been changed on social media pages across the country, to one with the black band across it as a mark of respect to the late Commander.
South Kildare Community Garda Sean O’Mahoney was a close friend of Jim’s. He said “Rest easy Jimmy. I’ve had the pleasure of working along side you and your unit for 19 years here in the south of the county. The experience you brought to any incident was immense. Your professional approach was to be admired. I will remember fondly our chats at different community events or searches and or course the odd Jameson whisky afterwards. You were a great colleague and Friend”
Former school principal and county councillor, Richard Daly, said, “Such a loss to our community. Jimmy was one in a million and I will leave it to the Almighty’s capable hands to provide his just reward. We will all miss him greatly. Rest in peace, Jimmy”
Jim worked closely with other voluntary and frontline services as part of his duties with the civil defence. He would have had regular interaction and engagement with An Garda Síochána, Kildare Fire Service, the National Ambulance Service, the Defence Forces, Order of Malta and Irish Red Cross during inter-agency and cross-service engagement at major events, festivals and emergency incidents.
Jim was highly regarded by people in the community and the services he interacted with.
Athy’s Darkness into Light committee said, “We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Byrne family on the very sad passing of Jimmy Byrne. Jimmy was a valued member of our committee for 11 years, one of the many committees and organisations he dedicated so much of his time, energy and commitment to over the years. His dedication to Darkness into Light in Athy, his kindness and his willingness to always help will never be forgotten. Jimmy gave so much to our community, and his contribution can never be replaced. Jimmy, we are going to miss you so much. Thank you, from all of us, for the wonderful memories, your friendship, your kindness and for everything you did for us over the years.”
Tributes have also been made on Kildare Civil Defence facebook page by many others following the news of Jim Byrnes passing.
Clifford Reid from BoatTrips.ie knew Jim for many years and they both would have travelled along many waters over the years. Cliff wrote, “Very saddened to hear this news. Rest in peace Jimmy”
Neighbouring Civil Defence Officer in Laois, Damien Dollard said, “Very sorry to hear this sad news. Jim was a true gentleman and a kind and dedicated volunteer who I had the pleasure of working along side many times over the years. My condolences to his family, friends and all his colleagues in Kildare CD. 30 years of dedicated service to his community is an incredible legacy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Former Civil Defence volunteer Cathy Dooley shared a ‘Hat Off and Salute’ gif and said “So sorry to hear this, what a gent, rest easy Jim your duty is complete, you can now stand down.”
Firefighter John Scully from Waterford Civil Fire Service, and civil defence volunteer wrote, “Very sad news. A gentleman in every way. Fond memories of his many visits to Waterford and our visits to Kildare in times past. My deepest condolences to his family friends and colleagues/family in the Kildare unit”
Predeceased by his parents James (Jim) and Winn. Jimmy will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mottie, sons and daughters Mary, Linda, James and Darren, grandchildren Heidi, Winnie and Daisie, great granddaughter Darcie, daughter-in-law Emma, Darren’s partner Coralie, brothers and sisters Paddy, Mary, George, Catherine and John, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, relatives, extended family, friends and his many colleagues in Civil Defence, Darkness into Light, O.N.E., Kilberry Community and Athy Town Promoters, Athy Tidy Towns.
Funeral arrangements will be published on Sunday afternoon.
Rest in Peace Jim Byrne.
