Tributes paid to Mayo Superintendent on his retirement

RECENTLY retired Superintendent Joe Doherty has been thanked for nearly 40 years of dedicated and committed service to communities in Mayo.

'An absolute gentleman', in uniform and out of it, is how Councillor Gerry Coyle described him at a meeting of Mayo's Joint Policing Committee today (Friday).

Joe Doherty, he said, listened to everyone and every side and he acted in the interest of all the people.

His replacement in the Ballina-Belmullet district, Supt. Gary Walsh, received a warm welcome at the meeting where he pledged to maintain and build on the good work of his predecessor.

Supt. Joe McKenna said his colleague Supt. Doherty was 'possessive' of his district and fought tooth and nail for it at management meetings.

In a private capacity he was involved with many organisations and was embedded in the community. The word he would use to describe his colleague and friend was 'legend'.

He always wanted to assist people in his work as a garda and had a very human side.

Deputy Dara Calleary said Joe Doherty was everything that is good about An Garda Síochána. No matter what the rank, he was a community garda first.

Senator Paddy Burke said he was always approachable and always gave the best advice and he would be a great loss to the force.

The retired superintendent wasn't present at the meeting but sent a message thanking JPC members, who he worked closely with, for all their assistance.