Ex-Waterford Chief Superintendent was a man of the 'highest integrity, compassion and kindness'
The Late Sean O'Halloran
The funeral for ex-Waterford Chief Superintendent Seán O’Halloran has taken place in Ferrybank.
Mr O’Halloran passed away on August 26, 2025, at University Hospital Waterford.
At his funeral mass on Friday, Fr Roderick Whearty said the ex-Chief Superintendent embodied the core values of An Garda Siochana.
“For a man like Sean O’Halloran, his career, his vocation, could not have been more appropriate. A man with the highest integrity. Always interested in community, fairness, and respect for all people.
“Sean, being the man that he was, with a deep sense of compassion, justice, for what is right and truthful, and always willing to listen and understand, made him an excellent guard and one that saw him rise through the ranks to Chief Superintendent, no mean feat,” said Fr Whearty.
Mr O’Halloran’s son Michael, told mourners that his father led a full life with a big family and a 40-year career in An Garda Siochana.
He was born in Kiltullagh, Athenry in 1945 and remained a Galway hurling fan his whole life.
Mr O’Halloran entered the Garda College in Templemore in 1964 and was then stationed in Kilkenny before moving to Glenmore.
While on a routine check of a gun license in Jamestown, he met Ellen (Nellie) Dowling.
Three years later the pair married and moved to Newrath, where they made their home for 55 years and had eight children.
Mr O’Halloran spent the final 12 years of his career as Chief Superintendent of Waterford, before retiring in 2005.
“While we will never know how many lives Sean touched and indeed changed throughout his career. Today, as we gather on his funeral day, we give thanks to Sean and to men and women like him who often put their own lives at risk to keep the rest of us safe,” said Fr Whearty.
In retirement, Mr O’Halloran was involved in many local organisations, including St Vincent De Paul, Self- Help Africa, and Waterford Regional Youth Service.
He was a founding member of the Waterford Foodbank, who paid tribute to him on his passing.
In a post on social media, they said Mr O’Halloran was “the heart” of the organisation.
“Known to many from his years of service as Chief Superintendent of An Garda Síochána, Sean carried the same values into his work with us: dignity, fairness, compassion.
“He never sought recognition, yet his steady presence shaped everything we do. Sean had a gift for noticing those who might otherwise be overlooked and ensuring they were cared for without fuss or fanfare. His kindness ran quietly but deeply through this community.
“We will miss his wisdom, his warmth, and the gentle humour with which he steadied us all. Above all, we are grateful for the example he set: that true service asks for nothing in return.
“A life like Sean’s leaves a quiet echo that speaks louder than words.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” wrote Waterford Food Bank.
Mr O’Halloran was an avid golfer and spent some time as the chairman of Waterford Golf Club.
Mr O’Halloran is sadly missed by his seven children, Tomás, Shane, David, and Michael, daughters Eleanor, Joanne and Emily.
He is predeceased by his son Niall, who passed away in 2020, and his parents, Delia and Thomas.
Mr O’Halloran also leaves behind seven grandchildren, his brother Michael, sons and daughter-in-laws, sister and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
His son Michael told those gathered to celebrate his life that his father was most proud of his family.
“Dad was a great father to us and a great husband to our mother. He had a great life, worked hard. He impacted the lives of many people. As he said himself, he did the best he could with what he had. The chats and the advice will be greatly missed,” said Michael.
