‘Simply heartbroken’: Beloved family man and Garda killed in collision named locally
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The late Sergeant Andrew O’Riordan was a committed member of An Garda Siochana but a family man first who adored his wife and children
AN OFF-DUTY member of An Garda Síochána who died tragically in a road traffic collision on Sunday, has been named locally as Sergeant Andrew O’Riordan.
He was a passenger in a car travelling on the R466 at Gortnaglogh, Broadford, County Clare, shortly after 5.30pm on Sunday when the fatal road traffic incident occurred (pictured below).
The driver, a man aged in his 50s, was airlifted to University Hospital Limerick. It is understood that he was discharged from hospital this Monday.
Sgt O’Riordan, aged in his 50s, was originally from County Cork but has been stationed in the Limerick Garda Division for some 20 years, most recently at Mayorstone Park.
Garda Frank Thornton, Garda Representative Association, Limerick Division, said the garda family was numbed on Sunday evening when news broke of the sudden passing of Sgt O’Riordan.
“We are all simply heartbroken, our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew’s family. He was a sergeant who guided and supported members during every single tour of duty. He will be desperately missed,” said Garda Thornton.
Sgt O’Riordan, a father-of-five who resided in Broadford, was described by one Garda who worked with him as “a gent”.
“He couldn’t do more for you if you asked him, a lovely character and always joking around. His unit are devastated. He’s been a sergeant in Limerick for the best part of 20 years,” they said.
A statement from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said that there is a huge sense of shock and sadness among members today as “we learned of the sudden and tragic passing of our great colleague and friend Sergeant Andrew O’Riordan”.
“A family man first, he adored his wife and children. He was hugely committed to the job of An Garda Síochána and his experience brought him to France for both study and service during the Olympics. He wore his uniform with great pride.”
AGSI National Executive member Sgt Caimin Treacy, worked with Sgt O’Riordan directly and spoke of his “good fortune” to work alongside such a great colleague.
“I had the good fortune of working with Andrew closely in Mayorstone for many years. His wit, his intellect and his humour was legendary.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Andrew's family at this heartbreaking time. We are all devastated, but we are here to provide support to his family and colleagues in whatever way we can. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” said Sgt Treacy.
Former Minister of State at the Department of Justice Niall Collins extended his condolences to Sgt O’Riordan’s immediate family, his garda family and local community.
“It is an awful tragedy. The local community is very shocked and upset to hear of Sgt O’Riordan’s untimely passing. I know gardai and the local community will rally around his loved ones and do everything they can to support them,” said Mr Collins.
In 2023, Sgt O’Riordan graduated from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Police in France after a year of training. It was part of a diplomatic exchange. Sgt O’Riordan was the first English speaker to have completed the course.
A year later he was deployed to the 2024 Paris Olympics to assist French authorities.
The fluent French speaker, having studied at University of Limerick, was chosen as part of an international police contingent to support security and public engagement during the 2024 Games.
Details for Sgt O’Riordan’s funeral were released on Tuesday on RIP.ie. His death notice reads,
“It is with deep sadness we announce the death of Andrew O' Riordan, Hurdlestown Meadows, Broadford, Co. Clare and late of Blarney and Tower Co. Cork on the 26th July 2026.
Deeply missed by his heartbroken family, loving wife Stéphanie, children Amélie, Steffen, Gabrielle, Jonathan and Axel, parents Patrick and Kathleen, sister Joanne and her husband David Kerr. Parents-in-law Jean-Claude Sachet and Marie-France Sachet, brother-in-law Ivan Sachet and his partner Hélena Rigal. Nieces and nephews Christopher, Alannah, Charlotte, Matthew, Léïla and Yaëlle, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, work colleagues in Mayorstone and Henry St, Garda Stations, neighbours and his many friends.
May Andrew's gentle soul Rest in Peace.
Andrew will repose in St. Peter's Church Broadford on Thursday 30th July from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass on Friday 31st July at 12noon followed by burial afterwards in the Church grounds.
Funeral Mass can be viewed live Here