Tributes paid following death of Kildare Civil Defence Commander Jim Byrne

Tributes have been made from across the country following the news of the death of Jim Byrne, Commander of Kildare Civil Defence.

Mr Byrne passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was 77 years of age.

He joined Kildare Civil Defence on 12th October 1994.

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, during which time he served as a SIPTU shop steward for 29 years.

As a person who gave many years of his life to service organisations and the community, it was poignant that Jim passed away on the same day on which the country recognised and celebrated National Services Day.

Tributes have been paid by many people in the Civil Defence and among other emergency, voluntary and community organisations across Ireland, as well as on social media.

The emergency services website EmergencyTimes.com had to place a special rotating banner at the top of its website, such was the number of tributes, articles and messages for the late Commander.

Leading the tributes, Kildare Civil Defence Officer Patricia McNeela described Jim as a kind-hearted, dedicated and community-minded man.

Speaking to Emergency Times on Saturday morning, Mrs 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-minded man who gave so much of his time and energy to the Civil Defence for 32 years. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

The Athy unit of Kildare Civil Defence was primarily a boat-based unit 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 on to Carlow, and the canal, which flows from Vicarstown in Laois to Maganey at the three counties of Kildare, Carlow and Laois, provided Jim Byrne and his team in the Civil Defence with a long and wide route for training and exercises.

Along these waterways 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 was 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.”

In a further statement to EmergencyTimes.com, Kildare’s Chief Fire Officer Niall O’Riordan said: “Jim’s commitment went far beyond simply answering calls and providing assistance at events. As a Commander, Jim Byrne gave his time, knowledge and experience to the service of his community.

“With over 30 years of service, Jim built friendships, trust and close working relationships with emergency services across County Kildare and the communities we are all privileged to serve.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dermot Scully of Kildare Fire Service also paid tribute to Jim’s commitment and dedication to Civil Defence.

ACFO Scully said: “Jim Byrne was respected by so many within Kildare County Council, the volunteers of Kildare Civil Defence and the Civil Defence organisation nationally. Jim’s knowledge will continue to guide future volunteers through the many other volunteers he has already mentored. His influence will continue to be felt with us here in Kildare Fire Service and Kildare County Council.”

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 Patricia 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.

Athy Town Promoters coordinator Patricia Berry described Jimmy as a loyal friend who was always willing to help the community.

Patricia 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 festivals 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.”

In March 2024, Commander Byrne received his 30-year service medal from the then Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD.

Following the news of Jim Byrne’s death, Civil Defence logos were changed on social media pages across the country to one with a 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 alongside 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, of 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.”

Delan Keogh, from the Emergency Times website, described Jim as ‘one of a kind’ and said: “It’s very rare that you meet someone who does so much for their town and community and who gives endless hours of their time, and still manages to smile and be in good form afterwards, despite how tired or worked they may be.

“Jim Byrne was one of those people. He was one of a kind, among others in the town of Athy who have all given their hearts and souls into the community for many years.

“Whether it’s volunteering with Kildare Civil Defence, Athy Town Promoters, the Tidy Towns or Darkness into Light, Jim was front and centre among many other great people. You were a great man and a gentleman. You’ll be greatly missed by all.”

Jim made many friends in various committees, organisations and services he interacted with along his way in life.

He was well known and well respected in the Civil Defence and wider circles he was involved with. He was admired by many and will always be remembered as someone who was always in great form and could tell a good joke or story.

Also paying tribute to Jim Byrne was Shannon Reid, Assistant Civil Defence Officer for Kildare, who regarded him as a good friend and said she had been lucky to have known Jim and that he had been a huge support to her in her role.

ACDO Reid said: “Jim has committed over 30 years to Kildare Civil Defence, particularly to the community of Athy and to the Kildare Boat Unit. I’ve been so lucky to have known Jim for a number of years, but particularly over the last four years in my role with Kildare Civil Defence.