Retirement of senior gardaí at 60 impacts on force

The Garda Síochána has been hit with the retirement of another highly experienced senior officer with the flagged departure of its anti-terrorism chief.

Detective Chief Superintendent John McMahon, head of the Special Detective Unit, has notified Garda HQ he intends to leave, as he is reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60.

The loss of Chief Supt McMahon, who had also headed the Garda National Drugs Unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is seen as a significant blow to the force.