End of an era as garda sergeant from Limerick retires after 40 years’ service

It WAS the end of an era at Nenagh District Court recently when Limerick city native, Sergeant Michael Keating, bowed out after 22 years as a court presenter and 40 years in An Garda Síochána.

On a day packed with emotion from all sides of the legal divide, tributes were paid to the man affectionately known to everyone as “Babs”.

It was “no normal day” at the court, said solicitor Maria Flanagan on behalf of the local solicitors, “but would go down in the annals of Nenagh District Court history.”

“It is the end of an era,” said Ms Flanagan, paying tribute to her “colleague and good friend in the truest sense of the word”.

Ms Flanagan said that Sgt Keating was held in high esteem by all her colleagues.

^{[Sgt Michael Keating with colleagues from the gardaí and the Courts Service at his retirement function in the Abbey Court Hotel]}        

She said that Sgt Keating was always open to talk with you and not against you, all for the betterment of an outcome no matter who was on the winning or losing side.

Referring to his Limerick roots, Ms Flanagan said Sgt Keating had never lost his Limerick accent and was a great Munster Rugby supporter.

Quoting Nelson Madela’s words that a good head and a good heart made for a formidable combination, Ms Flanagan said this applied to Sgt Keating who had a “pragmatic approach” while being sensitive to the most vulnerable and always willing to help them.

Such an example was his commitment to restorative justice and he was always willing to give any person an opportunity.

Limerick native hangs up his garda uniform following 40 years of service

Ms Flanagan said that she would not say goodbye to Sgt Keating but rather “Slán go fóill”.

“Now is your time. I hope you go forward and chase that bucket list and enjoy life with your wife, Dorothy, and son Dara,” she said.

Kenny Kerins, on behalf of the Tipperary Bar Association, quoting Shakespeare’s Othello, said Sgt Keating had “done the State some service, and they know it”.

“It is a sad day, but it is an honour to acknowledge you and acknowledge your knowledge of criminal law," he said.

Mr Kerins said that Sgt Keating had an immense sense of justice and was “exceptional in everything that he did”.

Peter Gleeson, on behalf of the local media, commented that the people of Nenagh and Tipperary loved Sgt Keating so much that they had named him “Babs” after the county’s most famous hurling manager.

Pointing out Sgt Keating’s commitment to the local community, he said that he was always there for the Christmas swim when other gardaí were off duty.

“He was the ultimate public servant,” said Mr Gleeson.

Insp Amanda Reynolds outlined Sgt Keating’s career in the force, how he had graduated from Templemore in 1983 and had served in Portroe and Roscrea, before settling back into Nenagh in 1988.

Among his achievements was obtaining his LLB from UL in 2006 and Sgt Keating had been the court presenter for An Garda Síochána for the past 22 years.

“He was dedicated to his career, was always professional and always put the people in court at the heart of his concerns,” she said.

“He was always approachable and gave time, attention and a fair hearing to everyone,” said Insp Reynolds.

She thanked him for his kindness to everyone and said that he will be long remembered and sadly missed.

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Mick Flannery from the Prison Services said it had been an “absolute pleasure” to work with Sgt Keating.

On behalf of the Court Services, Tommy Mockler, court clerk, said that Sgt Keating had made everyone’s job easier and had been an absolute pleasure to work with.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath said that Sgt Keating’s commitment to court had been “absolutely phenomenal”.

“A judge’s decision can only be as good as the evidence and you have to rely on the integrity of that evidence.

“Sgt Keating’s integrity was in the highest category. If anything was slightly wrong he would bring it to my attention, even if that was working against himself,” she said.

Judge MacGrath said Sgt Keating not only had knowledge of the law but of human nature and that was to be appreciated and valued.

Sgt Keating was the heart of the community in Nenagh and was always there when  garda presence was needed.

Judge MacGrath pointed out that Sgt Keating was fully supportive of restorative justice.

In response, Sgt Keating described the occasion as a “momentous day”.

Recalling he had been in Nenagh since 1988, he said he was a believer in living where you work.

He believed in the wheels of justice and if one spoke was broken then it all fell apart and so he tried to make sure everything worked.

He paid tribute to Judge MacGrath, who, he said, was a “great believer in justice”.

Sgt Keating also thanked the court staff for their level of professionalism, and singled out former clerk John Joe Buckely for mention, saying he had “picked up everything from him” insofar as everything had to be right.

He praised the members of the restorative justice team, saying it was a pity the programme was not rolled out in other areas.

“It is the way forward because we all make mistakes,” he said.

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Sgt Keating also praised his local solicitors, saying Nenagh was lucky to have such quality, as well as State solicitor Michelle O’Connell and the prison service.

He believed it was important that Nenagh had a garda superintendent and inspector as figureheads for people in the town.

In relation to his garda colleagues, he said the court system wouldn’t work without them  and their preparation of files. “They give great service to Nenagh and surrounding areas,” he said.

There was praise, too, for the people who come before the courts as victims or witnesses and he applauded those who came to court as victims of crime or domestic abuse.

Sgt Keating wished his successor, Sgt Regina McCarthy, best wishes, saying he knew she would be excellent.

And not leaving anyone out, he thanked the court staff for the manner in which the court was maintained and how they kept everything right. “It has been my pleasure to be fortunate enough to serve the people of Nenagh,” he concluded.