75th anniversary of death of Roscrea's Garda Sean Gantly

There has been increased focus on Gantly Road in Roscrea recently, which is a core part of a planned transformation of Roscrea town centre as part of the Council's new Town First strategy and the subsequent implementation of a new Masterplan to guide how the town of tomorrow evolves.

At the heart of the plans is a decision to upgrade Gantly Road to a fully fledged urban street and create Roscrea's newest commercial area - which will be named Gantly Street.

It is interesting to note that in the year when Gantly Road plays such a significant role in the future of the town, the tragic event which led to its name reaches a notable milestone on the 75th anniversary this Saturday.

Sean (John) Gantly, was born on October 6, 1899 on Main Street in Roscrea, son of Joseph Gantly (1860-1936) and Mary Anne (1863-1949) - née Hannon.

Chief Supt. Sean Gantly from Roscrea

He remains the highest ranking Garda to ever lose their life in the line of duty. Regrettably, some controversy surrounds his memory, but in Roscrea he is forever remembered with the rare honour of a street named after him.

Having previously worked in administration, he joined An Garda Síochána on June 27, 1923. A member of the Gaelic League, he also saw military service in the ‘B’ Coy, 2nd Dublin Battalion.

After the Truce he returned to Roscrea and went into business with a brother, but soon applied to join the Gardai and embarked on a career into which his brothers Joe in 1924, Tom and Mick in 1925, later followed.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1924, Superintendent a year later and Chief Superintendent in 1941 and appointed head of the Special Branch on July 26, 1944. He was married with six children and also served in Kells, Donegal and Killarney.

On January 21, 1948, he and his men went in pursuit of a criminal, James Nolan, who had been on the run from Mountjoy Prison since the previous Christmas Eve. Nolan was believed to be hiding in Hammond Lane foundry.

In the course of the search and confusion Chief Supt. Gantly was accidentally shot by a colleague. He was given a State funeral, attended by President O'Kelly and the then Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera.

On May 9, 1998, a plaque to the memory of Chief Supt. Gantly was unveiled at the Special Detective Unit on Harcourt Square, but his name was not included on the Garda Roll of Honour for many years. Garda authorities said that "the circumstances of his death do not meet the usual criteria for inclusion".

His name was later included, but is not inscribed on the Cenotaph at the Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, despite being the most senior officer to have lost his life in the execution of his duty in this State.

Thankfully, his name is indelibly inscribed on the heart of his hometown.