Southill native earns Templemore accolade

THE Southill area of Limerick often gets bad publicity but it received a boost yesterday when it was announced one of its own had been named best student at his graduation.

Patrick Aherne, a former employee of Dell Computers, won the Gary Sheehan Memorial Medal for the best recruit at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary. Gda Aherne won the medal, which is in memory of a garda who died on duty in 1983, because he was deemed to have been the best out of the class of 239 recruits who passed out as fully-fledged members of the force.

“Southill gets bad press at times but there are a lot of good people living there. I was very surprised but, nonetheless, delighted to get this award,” said Gda Aherne. As part of his training he was stationed at Togher Garda Station in Cork “where the gardaí there were of great help”.

He is to start his official career in Thurles.

The Commissioner’s Medal, for the student achieving the highest aggregate marks in academic subjects, was won by Garda Robert Zambra, a native of Rialto, Dublin.

He served as a non-commissioned officer in the Defence Forces for nine years before joining the force and will serve at Clondalkin Garda Station.

The Templemore Town Council Medal — for achievement and appreciation in the area of social science studies — was presented to Garda Keith White

A native of Drogheda, Co Louth, he will be stationed at Santry Garda Station.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan presented certificates to the 160 men and 79 women who graduated at Templemore.

The minister told the graduates he was confident their sense of duty and commitment would reflect the principles that we the nation wished to uphold.

“I can assure you that you have the full support of the people and the Government in the vital role of policing our country.”