The main function room of the Anner Hotel in Thurles was packed to capacity on Saturday evening last as hundreds paid a very fitting tribute to local retired Garda Superintendent Tony Cogan who has been described as "a pillar of the community."
Serving and retired Garda colleagues were among a large and representative gathering who paid homage to Tony, his wife Esther, and family, and recalled with fondness his mammoth contribution to An Garda Siochana, and to various facets of community li
fe.
Tony Cogan who retired from the force on February 28th last has resided in Thurles for the past twenty three years. He joined An Garda Siochana on August 3rd 1977 and commenced his distinguished career in the force in Carrick-on-Suir. He later took up appointment as Secretary to the Superintendent in Clonmel Garda District, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1986. He served in Fethard and Mullinahone for eight months before taking up duty as Sergeant in charge of Thurles Garda station. Following ten years service Sergeant Cogan was promoted Inspector, and took up duty in Shannon (Clare division). In 1998 Inspector Cogan was appointed to Nenagh Garda District. He was promoted Superintendent in 2003 and was assigned to the Garda College in Templemore for eight months before being appointed to the Thurles Garda District.
Former colleagues and friends accorded Tony a regal-like reception when he arrived at the Anner Hotel for Saturday's function. To sustained applause from guests he and his family were led into the function room by well-known local piper of Sean Treacy Pipe Band, Moycarkey-Borris, fame, Michael Flanagan, and received a series of warm and heartfelt tributes from a number of distinguished speakers who wished him health and happiness in his retirement.
The ceremonies commenced with Hotel Manager and Thurles Town Councillor Michael Cleary extending a cead mile failte to Tony and his family. Sergeant Michael Dempsey, Thurles Garda Station, was master of ceremonies on the occasion. He recalled Tony's thirty three years service in the force, and introduced each distinguished speaker to the audience.
Mayor of Thurles Town Council Ms Evelyn Nevin reflected on Tony's Garda career and his contribution to community life in Thurles. She said the huge turnout at the ceremony underlined the high esteem in which the former Superintendent in held. Describing him as "a pillar of the community" she said that he had "played a major role in "putting down the foundations of the effective, modern police force that we have in the town today. "And who but Tony would would have had the fortitude to deal with the unique types of policing challenges that the town of Thurles presented such as Feile, GAA events, and so on. He handled all these challenges with flair, professionalism, and competency. He has indeed been part of the lifeblood of Thurles for almost a quarter of a century" she said. Mayor Nevin thanked Tony for his work with Thurles Town Council on many projects down through the years.
The Mayor's sentiments were shared by Fr Thomas O'Connell, CC, Thurles, Garda Patrick Harrington speaking on behalf of the Garda Representative Associaton, Sergeant Susan O'Brien who spoke on behalf of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, Superintendent Pat McCabe who addressed the function on behalf of Garda Superintendents Association, Inspector Padraig De Burca, Thurles District, and Chief Superintendent Tipperary Division, Dave Sheahan.
All alluded to Tony's professionalism in the force and his great ability to interact with the community. Emphasis was placed upon Tony's willingness to offer advice and help, wherever possible, to many people who had fallen foul of the law, and the "dignity and compassion" he showed to the underprivileged in society. All speakers expressed delight that Tony's Mother Bridie who celebrated her 90th birthday on January 23rd last in Carrick-on-Shannon was present at the function.
Tony Cogan, in the course of lengthy address, thanked all those who had helped him during his career. Referring to the strategic policing initiatives he introduced throughout the Garda District, to include Thurles, Littleton, Urlingford, Johnststown, Ballingarry, Killenaule, Ballinure and Holycross, he said he always believed in Gardai "keeping close to the community." He said- There is no point in Gardai getting to know families when they are in crisis.
He said that before he retired he appointed four members of the force to community policing in the Thurles Town area on a full-time basis.
Margaret Moloney, made a special presentation to Supt Cogan on behalf of the staff at Thurles Garda District. Among high-ranking Gardai present at the ceremony were Assistant Garda Commissioner Fintan Fanning, former Assistant Commissioner Jim McHugh, and newly appointed Chief Superintendent in the Tipperary division Catherine Kehoe.
At the end of the ceremony, Tony's niece, former Miss Ireland, Aoife Cogan was on hand to declare his new business venture 'Munster Chauffeurs' ( it will cater for all travel needs) officially launched. After the ceremonies, the audience enjoyed an evening of music thanked to the talented Dwan Sisters, Emma and Ann Marie.
