Key garda in fight against Limerick crime gangs to retire

LIMERICK’s most senior garda detective, who spearheaded the fight against the city’s notorious gangs, is to retire next month.

Detective Superintendent Jim Browne, who also played a key part in quelling subversive activities in the mid-west, confirmed yesterday he has decided to call it a day after 35 years’ service.

He was the first member of the force to be appointed to the rank of detective superintendent in the Limerick Garda division.

A native of Mallow, Det Supt Browne spent his early years stationed in Monaghan before moving to Limerick in 1978.

He spent most of his career in the detective rank, from garda to inspector, before being appointed superintendent for the Bruff district.

He was subsequently appointed detective superintendent in Limerick as part of the move by Garda management to intensify the fight against serious crime in the city.

Det Supt Browne has been to the fore in the crackdowns on feuding gangs which has led to many central figures being imprisoned.

As a Special Branch officer, he also took part in many investigations involving subversives.

One colleague said: “Jim has been great to work with and is a real team player. He leads through professionalism and hard work and is respected by all who know and deal with him in the force. The results he achieved in tackling serious crime in Limerick speak for themselves.”

Det Supt Browne said yesterday: “I would like to pay tribute to all my colleagues here in Limerick who are among the most professional police men and women you will find in this country or anywhere in the world. They have done exceptional work in tackling some extremely violent and dangerous criminals and subversives down the years, and it has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated colleagues in Limerick over the past 31 years and their success is there for all to see.”

In a tribute, the mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kevin Kiely said Det Supt Browne was one of he finest officers ever to work in the city.

The mayor said the senior garda always had an open door for the law-abiding people of Limerick and was never afraid to “take on the serious criminals, criminal gangs and subversives who gave the city such a bad name”.

Mayor Kiely added: “He will be irreplaceable.”