Many tributes paid to Garda Chief Supt John Scanlon on his retirement
A huge crowd gathered Portlaoise to honour the top garda in Laois, Offaly and Kildare on his retirement after serving his country for more than four decades as a member of An Garda Síochána.
Garda Chief Superintendent John Scanlan, who has also served the State in his native Limerick, Dublin, Clare, Longford, Templemore Garda College, was surrounded by family, friends and garda colleagues including Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Many other people from his adopted Laois to his native Limerick and further afield were in the Killeshin Hotel on Friday, April 21.
Guests of honour at the event were Chief Supt Scanlan's family, wife Anne Marie McMahon Deputy Garda Commissioner and their son Jack and daughter Sheila. Also, there were the garda's extended family from Limerick and his wife's relatives from Clare.
Both Jack and Sheila led speakers at the event in praise of their Chief Supt Scanlon in his primary role as father.
Pride of place also went to his community family in Laois especially members of the community in Cullohill and surrounding areas. Chief Supt Scanlan has made his home in the south Laois community where he lives on a farm.
The presence of the Cullhill community was a testament to his contribution to his new home but the large Laois presence at the event was further evidence of the high regard in which he is held in the county where he was deployed 11 years ago when he was promoted to the post of Chief Supt of the Laois Offaly Division.
Tony McGuigan, Chairman of the Cullohill Community Council paid tribute to a man who has been instrumental in several projects which have enhanced life in the village. He mentioned the latest of these being a new Cullohill Comhaltas Branch.
Among the other Laois representatives were Anna May McHugh, MD of the National Ploughing Championships. She was among the many to pay tribute to the outgoing Garda chief both for his work for Laois and in facilitating the ploughing championships in Laois and Offaly.
Laois County Council's Chief Executive Officer John Mulholland also spoke at the event. He praised him for both his excellent work as a policeman working with the local authority since being appointed in 2012. He was also impressed by his contribution to life in Laois and particularly Cullohill.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris led policing tributes to his retiring colleague whom he first met at the Ploughing Championships after just two days in the post.
He said the attendance at the retirement was a clear demonstration of the esteem in which he is held locally. He thanked him for his long and distinguished service since being attested in 1982 and assigned to Coolock Garda Station.
He said the way in which Chief Supt Scanlon managed the investigation into Ashling Murphy's murder in Tullamore exemplifies the high regard he is held in by colleagues but also the public, community, and victims.
Other Garda tributes were also paid by Portlaoise Superintendent Eamon Curley and Kildare Superintendant Ollie Henry.
Supt Curley highlighted the support his colleague had given to his family during the illness of his daughter Cara. While his daughter ultimately lost her fight with Leukemia, the support network established by Chief Supt Scanlon and others proved to be the cornerstone for the Cara Curley Foundation which now helps many families facing a similar crossroads.
Other speakers and presentations from the force were made by Superintendent Ollie Henry, Assistant Commissioner, Eastern Region, Paul Cleary who called him an “authentic leader who leads from the front and is not afraid to challenge the system”.
Scott Medal recipient and former Garda Sergeant Jim Cannon, Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins who represented the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors also spoke highly of the retiring officer.
Waterford and former Portlaoise Superintendent Tony Pettit, who was MC for the event also paid tribute.
Among those to also make presentations and pay tribute were Theresa Beirne, assistant governor of Midlands Prison, Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, Jamie Griffin, Head of American Secret Service North Europe, Jim Meade, Irish Rail CEO.
Among those also present were Judge Andrew Cody, boss of Supermacs Pat McDonagh and his wife Una, local TDs Sean Fleming and Barry Cowen.
The event concluded with a heartfelt, sincere and sometimes colourful address in which the Annacotty native with sincere thanks.
“It has taken 41 years to get to this day and I am very grateful for the presence of so many friends here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here today with us,” he said.
He spoke fondly of his Limerick roots - his parents Edmund and mother Sheila who died when he was just four. He recalled the Hayes family in Birdhill with whom he spent time as a child.
He recalled the words his father spoke to him when he was dropped off in Templemore in 1980s which guided his policing career.
“He offered me the following advice: 'Use a bit of common sense, don't be too hard on people, and give people a break when you can'. These principles have lasted with me the test of time,” he said.
He received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his address.