Galway Chief Superintendent retires after distinguished career

CHIEF Superintendent of the Galway Garda Division, Gerard (Gerry) Roche, has retired after more than 41 years of service with An Garda Síochána.

From Abbey in South Galway, the retiree started his career with An Garda Síochána in 1984. He served in multiple roles across the country, including Dublin, Sligo, Limerick, Kildare, Dublin before becoming the Chief Supt for Galway in October of 2022. His colleagues have described his service in the Gardaí as one filled with distinction, professionalism and integrity.

Following his appointment as the highest-ranking Garda in Galway, Gerry Roche vowed to take on organised criminal gangs involved in drug dealing locally, while keeping his focus on community policing and crime.

It was under his supervision that Galway acquired the largest Drug Task Force in the country, boasting two Sergeants and 20 Gardaí.

He also oversaw the integration of mental health into modern policing and chaired a subgroup of the Government’s High Level Task Force on Mental Health and Criminal Justice System.

Gerry Roche served as a Sergeant in Galway City and Gort, as a Detective Inspector in Salthill, and as a Superintendent in Ballinasloe before becoming the Chief Supt of the Galway Garda Division.

He was given a presentation by his son, Garda Michael Roche, to mark his retirement after 41 years in An Garda Síochána.