Super tea party raises €1,740

HOSPICE FUNDRAISER MARKS RETIREMENT OF CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT

A ‘ TEA’ RIFFIC party was held for popular chief superintendent John Roche to mark his retirement from the force after 40 years recently, raising €1,740 for Wexford Hospice Homecare.

The Acting Garda Commissioner Donall Ó Cuiláin was in attendance, along with Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey and several high ranking gardaí to wish Mr Roche well in his retirement. Inspector Pat McDonald who served the area for many years was also in attendance and was wished well on his retirement.

More than 140 people attended the tea party at the Talbot Hotel, where a sumptuous spread was laid on, with sandwiches and sweet treats served on afternoon tea tiers.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright, Wexford Mayor Jim Moore, Brendan Howlin TD and local councillors.

Insp McDonald spoke warmly about his colleague on behalf of the gardaí. Mr Roche was praised for introducing community policing in the county and for always putting people first.

A Wexford town native, Mr Roche worked in Dublin for a period. He climbed the ranks of the gardaí and was superintendent in Gorey for a time before taking over as Wexford chief superintendent.

He was stationed in 14 different areas. He has been a part of the Wexford division for the last decade and played a huge role in helping develop community policing in the town and helped get the new Garda Station at Mulgannon built.

Commissioner O’Cualain praised Superintendent Roche saying he always helped to put the community first in his duties.

Mr Roche thanked everyone for attending and his wife Joan for making sacrifices to enable him to develop his career. He outlined the highs and lows of the job.

Speaking afterwards Mr Roche thanked everyone who attended and all the people who donated money to Wexford Hospice Homecare. He said: ‘I was something different. I looked after the bill for the hotel and the money is going to Wexford Hospice Homecare. Both my parents suffered from cancer and it’s a charity that helps nearly every family at some stage.’

Describing the day as brilliant and emotional, the father-of-two said: ‘After 40 years in any job it becomes more than a job; it’s a vocation.’

John Twomey, Deputy Commissioner; Joan Roche, John Roche, Dónall Ó Cualáin, Acting Commissioner and Michael Finn, Area Commissioner at a coffee morning in the Talbot Hotel in aid of Wexford Hospice Homecare, hosted by retiring chief superintendant John...

Retiring Chief Superintendent John Roche, Mary Roche and Declan Roche.

Joan Roche, Derek Nally and Alma Hynes.

Tom Aherne, Inspector Denis Whelan and Gwen Gaddren.

Martina Stavar and Alan Jordan.