PICTURES | Impressive new book 'Celebrating the Centenary of An Garda Síochána in Longford' is launched

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Edgeworthstown’s Community Library was full to capacity as it played host to the launch of a special commemorative book to mark the centenary of An Garda Siochana.

'Celebrating the Centenary of An Garda Síochana in Longford' is arguably one of the most colourful, insightful and meticulously devised chronology of the State's law enforcement agency you are likely to get your hands on. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Dozens of serving, retired officers and their families watched on as the end product marking several months of painstaking behind the scenes efforts by the publication’s 12 strong committee was formally unveiled.

It was an evening tinged with as much celebration as it was melancholy as moving tributes and presentations were made in honour of deceased members of the force.

Acclaimed local historian David Leahy, who officially launched the 132 page book, said its contents, carrying in-depth insights into the life and times of members from one end of the county to the other “ticked every box” when it came to local history.

In what was one of his last public engagements before stepping down as Longford County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Turlough McGovern singled out the endeavours of joint editors Eamon Brennan and retired garda sergeant Jim McDonald in bringing the publication to fruition.

He said the experiences encountered by the State’s ‘guardians of the peace’ over the past 100 years could not be understated.

“When the first guards came to Longford the Civil War was going on, things were very difficult at the time,” he said.

“One of the greatest achievements of the State was to dedicate a force that should be unarmed and since then the guards have enjoyed the confidence and support of all communities.”

His opposite number, in the form of Ballymahon Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Ross said the book represented a key archive in the various experiences of a force that was held in the highest of esteem by Longford’s 40,000 plus citizens.

Equally, the Fine Gael local politician said the local organisation’s role in leading the rollout of a much heralded community text alert scheme and more recent Community Safety Partnership Scheme, were further illustrations of that common acceptance.

“This book brings it a step further in terms of digging deep into what happened in Longford over the last 100 years and it’s a very interesting insight into the changes, methods and technologies that have been gone through,” he said.

In an evening filled with congratulatory sentiments, special praise was set aside for the book's designer, Edel Fallon of Bottlegreen Design and county archivist Martin Morris.

Chief Superintendent for the Roscommon/Longford Garda Division, Ray McMahon reserved a special mention for the book’s main protagonists alongside centenary chairperson and Longford Superintendent Seamus Boyle.

“I suppose this started off at the beginning of 2022 when I asked the superintendents in the local area to produce something to meaningfully commemorate and acknowledge all the members we have,” he said.

“When Seamie told me he was teaming up with Jim McDonald and Eamon Brennan I knew we were going to have something really, really special.”

Superintendent Boyle followed suit, saying the evening underlined his own sense of personal fulfilment in an establishment he had spent over three decades dedicating his professional career to.

“I am so proud to have joined such a significant organisation,” he said.

“From the beginning of the State, An Garda Siochana have been part and parcel of the fabric of Irish society.

“When you look back at all the good things we have done from the very start of the State to today’s date, we have been involved in all good things in society and we don’t get the credit we deserve.

“You don’t join the guards to get praise, but we have all worked hard and it’s only from working on this centenary celebrations that I realised the significance of the organisation I joined.”

From the evidence of the launch night, that level of mutual satisfaction and pride could not have been more palpable.

*All proceeds from the sale of 'Celebrating the Centenary of An Garda Síochana in Longford', priced at €15, will go towards Longford Hospice Homecare.