Ireland's oldest retired garda turns 100 years old

The state’s oldest retired Garda Siochana member, Jack O’Sullivan, recently celebrated his hundredth birthday at Waterford Residential Care Centre.

Jack joined the gardaí on the same date as the D-Day landings, June 6 1944. He was first first stationed in Cappagh, before being transferred to Dungarvan for a two year stint.

He then moved to An Rinn for seven years, where he honed his fluency in the Irish language and subsequently met his wife Ellen.

He was promoted to the rank of sergeant whilst stationed in Callan, before spending time in Graignamanagh, Goresbridge, Glenmore and Kilmeaden where he retired in 1986.

Upon reaching the recent milestone, Jack became an honorary member of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association.

Mick Nevin, Chair of the Retired Members Waterford & Tramore Branch, attended the celebrations with other local retired gardai and Chief Superintendent of Waterford Garda Station Anthony Pettit, who made a special presentation.

Reflecting on Jack's legacy, Mick said his life and service to the Gardaí was an inspiring achievement.

“He is absolutely fantastic and was a very capable policeman in his day. As an individual and as a member of the guards he’s an inspiration for anybody that knows him or meets him, and he’s full of life. There’s so many dimensions to Jack that are admirable."

Mick Nevin, Chair of the Retired Members Waterford & Tramore Branch spoke further to the Waterford News & Star about Jack O'Sullivan's decades of service to An Garda Siochana in Waterford and the South East. 

"Jack operated in a very different era, and it wouldn't resemble the job that it is now, because it's changing all the time. But he was a very capable policeman in his day. He's a unique individual and a lovely man," he said.

He added: “The party in the Care Centre was a really vibrant day, and the staff there are absolutely wonderful people. It was our honour to be there with Jack on his hundredth birthday, and a sincere congratulations to him and his family.” 

Beyond his professional life, Jack was a great outdoorsman in his younger years, with a love for fishing, golf and fitness. This passion was exemplified in the winter of 1947, one of the coldest on record, when Jack cycled from Dungarvan to Killarney on a bicycle.

He also displayed a talent for music and a keen interested in learning and reading, along with a profound love for the Irish language.

His son Tom, fondly described the character of his father, saying: “He’s got such a positive attitude, and he always encouraged me and my three siblings to follow our own paths. He’s an inspiration to us all because he has a great appetite for life, and he’s so interested in everything and in everyone.” 

At the recent party, Jack was joined by over a hundred loved ones, including family, friends, neighbours, and fellow residents of Waterford Residential Care Centre.

Tom added: “It was a fantastic celebration. It was probably the best day we ever had. He got lots of emails from other retired members from all over the country wishing him a happy birthday.

"People travelled from far and wide to be there, and celebrations went long into the afternoon with high spirits throughout.”