A NORTHSIDE artist was so moved by a French policeman’s heroic act of bravery that he decided to paint a portrait as a way to honour the heroism of the fallen Gendarme.
Gendarmerie Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame (44) was killed on March 24, 2018 after offering himself in exchange for one of the hostages during a terrorist attack in a supermarket in Trebes, France.
Lauded as a hero in France and worldwide, Lieutenant-Colonel Beltrame was posthumously made a Commandeur of the Legion d’Honneur and a Colonel in the Gendarmerie Nationale by President Emmanuel Macron.
Bernard Fallon (67), from Foxhill, Ayrfield, who was deeply moved by the tragic event, officially presented his portrait to Gendarmerie Lieutenant-Colonel Etienne Peltier, in the presence of the Ambassador of France to Ireland, at the French Embassy on Ailesbury Road.
The portrait will be transferred to the family of Colonel Arnaud Beltrame before being donated to the Musee National de la Gendarmerie where it will remind visitors of Ireland’s support in the wake of terrorist attacks in France.
Ambassador Stephane Crouzat described Mr Fallon’s gesture as a powerful symbol of the friendship shown by Ireland to France in the wake of terrorism.
“The values we share are the first targets of each terrorist act,” said Crouzat. “By honouring the sacrifice made by Colonel Arnaud Beltrame, Mr Fallon reminds us of the importance of human fraternity and the bonds that unite us in the darkest moments.”
Mr Fallon said: “Last year when the siege on the supermarket took place, with hostages held captive, the response of Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame to offer himself in exchange in such a precarious situation was bravery beyond belief. He was a credit to his comrades and a credit to France.”
Speaking to Northside People after visiting the French Embassy, Mr Fallon said the people of France have been going through a terrible time following the terror incidents including Nice and the Bataclan Theatre.
“When I read an article about that man (Colonel Arnaud Beltrame), I wondered how his family must be feeling.
“There was obviously nothing I could do personally but I thought the painting might just be a way of marking his heroic act.
“Shortly after the man died I started the painting and it took a couple of months to complete.”
Mr Fallon was overwhelmed with the response of the French Embassy when he contacted them.
“I was flabberghasted when I heard the painting would be hung up in the museum. The whole thing just took off.
“I was not looking for payment and I would gladly have handed over the painting without publicity for myself. My motivation was to let them (Colonel Arnaud Beltrame’s familuy), know that this was such a brave thing to do.
“The Ambassador and his staff at the Embassy on Ailesbury Road were absolutely wonderful on the day of the ceremony. They were so nice to us.”
Bernard has been painting and sketching all his life. From an early age he showed interest in the process of figurative painting, encouraged and instructed by his father John Fallon, an artist and picture restorer. According to Bernard, John and Joe Peake, his business partner, were given the job of restoring the Stations of the Cross paintings in the Pro-Cathedral in the 1960s.
Bernard is also a member of the Ayrfield Men’s Shed.
“I joined 18 months ago and it’s a bit of craic,” he adds. “It gets you out of the house and it’s a social thing. They are a great bunch of lads.”
If you would like to know more about Bernard and his work, visit www.Bernardfallon.net
