Garda chief confirms departure

Warm tributes were paid to outgoing Granard Superintendent Ian Lackey this week as he takes up a new role in Naas, Co Kildare.

The former British Metropolitan Police officer officially moves to the busy Dublin commuter suburb from tomorrow (Thursday), as first revealed by the Leader last week.

Confirming his impending transfer to elected members at a recently held Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting, Supt Lackey said his two year tenure had been especially memorable.

“It has been a great experience and I’m sure that experience will stand me in good stead in my new position,” he said.

Town Mayor Cllr John Maguire said committee members would no doubt be left saddened by his exit, something which Cllr Eddie Kelly jovially backed up.

“I said it at the time, if he (Supt) was good, he would be moved on after two years,” he said, amidst a spattering of laughter.

Having served previously for a spell in Naas, Supt Lackey took over from his predecessor Dermot Mann in April 2011.

In that time, the district has enjoyed arguably one of its most successful periods in the ongoing battle against organised crime.

Just last week, he revealed how offences spanning all sectors of the Garda database had fallen by nearly 20 per cent on last year’s levels.

Recent changes to the make-up of the Gardai’s senior management structure meant his position had come in for review.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect it to happen as quickly as it did (transfer),” he added. “Ever since I arrived I was made to feel very welcome by the lads in the station and by everybody.”

His successor, Seamus Boland, a soon to be promoted Detective Inspector currently serving in the Ballymun area of Dublin, is expected to take over as Granard’s latest superintendent from tomorrow (Thursday).