Retirement of 'treasured' Laois Offaly Garda Sergeant announced
‘Graham will be thought of fondly by his colleagues; for his enthusiastic dedication to his role, his professional integrity and his commitment to high standards’
The Laois Offaly Garda Division is set to lose one of its most experienced, dedicated and popular members with the announcement of the retirement of Sgt Graham Kavanagh.
The Dublin native is known the length and breadth of Laois and Offaly through his work as Crime Prevention Officer for the past two decades. Sgt Kavanagh supported community alert groups in towns and villages across the two counties and has engaged warmly with communities, dispensing advice and helping those affected by crime.
He regularly featured on RTE’s Crimecall and was always on hand to deliver advice during the National Ploughing Championships, at the Tullamore Show and during a range of other events throughout the Laois Offaly Division.
During his time in Laois Offaly, Sgt Kavanagh studied to become the first Garda in Ireland to secure a Diploma in Designing Out Crime. The Diploma, which is aimed at creating safer built environments, is a recognised qualification both for police Designing Out Crime Officers and for others who engage in designing out crime as part of a specialist role.
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It enables Sgt Kavanagh to provide specialist advice and guidance regarding the built environment at every stage of architectural design from pre-planning to the full development in order to minimise crime, fear of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
Sgt Kavanagh was instrumental in supporting and promoting community alert groups across Laois and Offaly. He helped set up text alert schemes and he took a lead role in supporting communities as they applied for community CCTV systems. He was an invaluable and highly popular contact between the media and Gardaí and he oversaw the Laois Offaly Garda facebook page which now has more than 66,000 followers.
Sgt Kavanagh’s retirement was announced on the Laois Offaly Garda social media page following his last official meeting which took place with St Brigid’s Active Retirement Group.
“Yesterday we marked a very special occasion with the St. Brigid's Active Retirement Group when Sergeant Graham Kavanagh, our treasured Crime Prevention Officer made his last public appearance as a member of An Garda Síochána.
Graham is retiring on Sunday the 7th of June having served diligently for 31 years.
Over the course of his career he has worked in a variety of roles; Community Policing, Detective Unit, Court Presenter and Crime Prevention in both urban and rural settings.
Graham has always been dedicated to community and his approach to his current role of crime prevention has been practical and centred on community reassurance - helping people to feel safe where they live, work and conduct their business,” they stated.
“Graham has always valued the warm welcome he received from people across the two counties. Whether speaking at a community meeting, visiting a person’s home, advising a local business, engaging with older persons’ groups or working alongside voluntary organisations, he has always regarded community engagement as one of the most meaningful parts of policing.
His dedication to further education ensured that he has always been well informed and has been able to give communities up-to-date, informed guidance.
As he approaches retirement from An Garda Síochána, Graham leaves with a deep appreciation for the colleagues, communities, partner agencies and volunteers that he has worked with throughout his career.
Graham will be thought of fondly by his colleagues; for his enthusiastic dedication to his role, his professional integrity and his commitment to high standards.
On a personal level, he will be remembered as a witty true blue Dub, blessed with the gift of the gab and his commanding presence will be missed around our Garda Stations.
Graham, thank you for your service, we wish you and your family happiness, good health and success as you start this new chapter.
Go n-éirí an bóthar leat,” they concluded.