John Roche

John Roche (11 June 1905 – 4 January 1940) was a Garda Síochána Detective who was assassinated on the 3 January 1940, becoming the first Garda casualty of the Emergency Period. Early life John Roche was born on 11 June 1905 in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick. His mother, Mary Anne Woulfe (12 July 1872 – 16 October 1944) came from a landed Catholic family, the daughter of merchant John Richard Woulfe. His father, Edmond J. Roche (15 November 1873 – 31 December 1945), was a peace commissioner. Assassination and legacy On 3 January 1940, Roche was shot fatally by Tomás Óg Mac Curtain, an IRA commandant and the son of Lord Mayor Tomás Mac Curtain. Roche and two others had attempted to question Mac Curtain about criminal activities when he produced a revolver. Roche was taken to the North Infirmary Hospital and died from his wounds the following day. A cortège funeral was held on 6 January. Roche's coffin was carried from Cork to Mallow and to his final resting place in Abbeyfeale, where Gerald Boland, Minister for Justice, tendered his sympathy. Other attendees included Michael Kinnane, Patrick Brennan, Patrick Carroll, and James Hickey.