Bill retires after 26 years in Killarney

“NOW I’ve the time I intend to do more hillwalking, gardening and coaching rugby teams,” said former Detective Garda, Bill Stack who recently called time on his 26 years’ service to the people of Killarney; a role Bill said he thoroughly enjoyed and will dearly miss.

Bill originally hails from Duagh in north Kerry and he took up the post in Killarney back in 1991 when mobile phones were rarer than hens’ teeth and Down were All-Ireland Champions. Bill also worked for a spell in Kilmainham and Kevin Street Garda Stations in Dublin after completing his training in Templemore.

But home is always where the heart is and Bill’s return to the Kingdom to set up life with his wife Mary and their four children is now the perfect place to call home. Bill and his colleagues recently met at Reidy’s Bar in Killarney for one final farewell where no doubt memories of a long career were recalled in a short space of time.

“I’ve seen huge changes in 26 years in Killarney, loads of new hotels and infrastructure which is all for the betterment of the town. The people in Killarney are great people and they were always very good to me,” said Bill.

But life as a guard invariably has its ups as well as downs and Bill recalls recent murder investigations in the area as being particularly difficult.

“These kind of cases were difficult but these events are offset by the people of Killarney who were always great and very helpful in our investigations. I’ll also miss the camaraderie as the people I worked with are great and are friends for life. I just want to thank the people of Killarney for all their help over the years and I wish them the best,” he added.

FAR LEFT: Retired Det. Garda Bill Stack with his family Meagan, Mary and Darren at his retirement function in Reidy’s, Main Street, Killarney on Friday.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Former Detective Garda Bill Stack (seated centre) who retired from the gardaí after serving in Killarney Garda Station for 25 years, pictured with (from left) Garda Batt Lynch, Inspt. Paul Kennedy, Det. Sgt John Kelly, Det. Garda Ian Kelly (back from...

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin LEFT: Det. Chis Maunsell, Fiona O’Dowd, Jamie Linehan and Garda Finbarr Donovan at the Det. Garda Bill Stack retirement function in Reidy’s, Main Street, Killarney on Friday.