Tipperary garda's son, 92, collects his father's centenary medal in Thurles ceremony

There was a special occasion at Thurles Garda Station last week, not only for the Guerin family, but for the garda family also.

Michael Guerin, 92, accompanied by his three daughters and son-in-law were presented with Michael’s father’s Centenary Medal which commemorates 100 years of the establishment of An Garda Síochána.

Born in Quin, county Clare, in 1902, Thomas Guerin, joined An Garda Síochána in 1925 and upon attestation was stationed in Birr, but only for a short time before he was transferred to Tipperary, where he was to stay for the rest of his career.

He took up duty in Ballingarry in 1925 and remained there for a year before he was transferred to Templemore Garda Station on April 23, 1926.

He retired from An Garda Síochána five days before Christmas Day in 1964 and enjoyed 37 years in retirement.

Supt Eddie Golden, who recently took up duty at Thurles Garda Station addressed the Guerin family stating that Thomas and his colleagues joined the “organisation in a time of turmoil and unrest across the country. However, remaining unarmed they set about their duty of keeping the peace of the land.

“Men like Thomas laid the foundation stones of the policing model we enjoy in this country today; that is policing by the will of the people,” added Sgt Ray Moloney, Community Policing Sergeant for the Thurles District.

Michael Guerin said it was a wonderful occasion and he was delighted to be presented with this father’s medal and had many happy memories growing up in Richmond, Templemore.

It was Michael’s daughter, Niamh Lenahan, who heard about the medal and set about arranging the occasion.