Gardai, both serving and retired, marched last October behind the Garda Band from Plunkett Station to Lady Lane for the unveiling of plaque with Waterford Civic Trust to mark Garda centenary, the site where the first Civic Guard Station opened in Waterford on October 14, 1922.  

There, City & County Mayor John O’Leary (FF) and Assistant Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary unveiled the latest Waterford Civic Trust Blue Plaque, supplied by Castit, to mark the force’s first 100 years in Ireland’s oldest city.  

Dr Eugene Broderick of Waterford Civic Trust said the Blue Plaques throughout the city were “a visible expression of the Civic Trust’s pursuit of the preservation and celebration of this city’s rich heritage”. Over 60 plaques have been erected in the city since the Trust’s foundation in 1990.  

“This plaque records an especially important event in this city’s history… 100 years on, the people of this city owe much to the dedication and commitment of those first Guards and to those who have followed in their footsteps. We, the people of Waterford, should speak the name of An Garda Síochána with gratitude and with pride.” 

Following the unveiling, a medal and certificate ceremony was held at the Large Room where current and retired Gardaí, along with civilian staff, were recognised for their years of service to the force.  

Among those honoured was 98-year-old John ‘Jack’ O’Sullivan, the oldest surviving retired member of An Garda Síochána in the State today, who received a standing ovation in the Large Room. There, he was joined by his son Tom, a retired sergeant who also received a medal.