Former AGSI National Executive member Eric Boyle retired this month and to mark his retirement his colleagues joined him for a celebratory luncheon. Below Alan Dowley shares news and photos from the event.
After 30 years’ dedicated service Eric Boyle Sergeant In-Charge of Castleblaney retired from An Garda Síochána on Friday 6th December 2013.
Eric joined An Garda Siochana on the 21st September 1983 and excelled in the job from the very beginning. He was awarded the Commissioners prize and having left the Garda College his first station was Store Street.
Of course he had a good tutor none other than his father Bandmaster Superintendent Tommy Boyle (now retired) who was in charge of the Garda Síochána Band.
He was promoted Sergeant in 1993 and went on transfer to Castleblaney where he settled and eventually took on the onerous role as Sergeant In-Charge a position he held until his retirement.
Eric was an active member of the Cavan/Monahan Branch of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. He took over the role as Branch Secretary after Joe Dirwan became President. He joined the National Executive Committee from 2007 to 2010 and continued in the role of Branch Secretary until David Forde took over the role in November.
Eric was dedicated to achieving the highest standards in everything he did and he always achieved this. He was a keen debater at the Annual Delegate Conference and always strived to represent his colleagues in a fair and equitable way and to bring about change to improve conditions for everyone.
Tributes were paid to him by AGSI President Tim Galvin, Brach Chairperson Regina McArdle, and Brach Secretary David Forde.
Superintendent Gerry Russell described Eric as being the prime example of what all Sergeants In-Charge should aspire to. He always looked forward to visiting Castleblaney station because he knew his job would be easy, everything would be in order. Eric will be missed by the people of Castleblaney as he was always available day or night, or at the request of a concerned parent to put a young person back on the right path with sound advice.
We wish Eric, his wife Noeleen and his children, Niamh, Eilish and Thomas good health for the future and hope that Eric will be happy in his new role.
