Garda Joe O'Connor gets a thumbs up from St. Patrick at the recent Ballinagh parade on St Patrick's Day. Joe who is a well-known friendly face around Ballinagh carried out this duty for the last time on Saturday as he will be retiring tomorrow after nearly 40 years of dedicated service including dir

Popular Garda to retire after almost four decades of service

Ballinagh-based Garda Joe O’Connor is set to retire from the ranks of An Garda Síochána after 39 years of distinguished service with the policing force.

The Ballintubber, Co Mayo, native served the community of Ballinagh since being assigned there in March 2007, having arrived in Cavan Town following graduation from Templemore in April 1979.

Outside of the serving with the Gardaí, locally Gda O'Connor both played and managed with the Cavan Gaels senior team, later also working with Lacken Celtics.
A retirement function will be held in honour of Gda O'Connor's long service on Friday, May 4.
For more information, contact Cavan Garda Station on 049-4368800.