Retiring garda chief full of praise for colleagues

A “selfless” senior garda asked friends and colleagues to support two charities instead of organising a dinner to honour his retirement.

Chief Superintendent Tom Hayes, at an organised coffee morning, requested donations to Union Hall RNLI and to Marymount Hospice, two charities close to his heart.

In a cruel twist of fate, he had to oversee a major search operation following the drowning of five fishermen in West Cork in January 2012. Among the dead was his brother Michael, skipper of the Tit Bonhomme which hit rocks and sank in Glandore harbour.

The response of the entire community in West Cork, but particularly the people of Union Hall and the extended fishing community, will never be forgotten by Tom Hayes and his extended family. He also recalled the excellent support of the people in Bunmahon and Helvick, his Garda colleagues, the Navy, Coastguard and Civil Defence who all worked tirelessly until all the bodies were found.

The now retired officer had also requested donations for Marymount Hospice, in Bishopstown. His first posting, after completing training in Templemore in 1977, was in the Cork suburb. Subsequently, he was transferred on promotion as a sergeant to Rosscarbery in 1990, and, after brief spells in Dublin, was appointed an inspector in Midleton and later a detective inspector based at Anglesea Street. In 2002, promotion saw him become superintendent in Gurranabraher, and became detective superintendent for the Cork region before being assigned, in 2010, chief superintendent for West Cork.

Colleagues say the Bunmahon, Co Waterford-born garda was a “stickler for detail” so it was hardly surprising he handled the planning of the Tour de France in Cork in 1998, and the Irish Open golf spectacle at Fota in 2001 and 2002. He was also one of the key garda planners for the visit of President Bill Clinton to Limerick in 1998.

Chief Supt Hayes was also involved in a number of murder investigations which resulted in convictions.

“He had a ferocious appetite for detail. He was one of the most highly respected officers we have had and he will be missed,” said a senior garda colleague.

Off the field, he was always involved in sport. He had played football at all grades, including inter-county for Waterford and, today, is a mentor for Bishopstown GAA Club where he still coaches.

He said: “In particular I would like to thank and pay tribute to the people who give of their time and effort by volunteering for various responsibilities in local clubs and committees, the local community councils, the Community Alert / Neighbourhood Watch committees, all of whom have made excellent contributions to the reduction of crime in West Cork through initiatives such as Text Alert and by assisting their local gardaí. “

Chief Supt Hayes said he wanted to recognise the hard work and diligence of all the members of An Garda Síochána he’d worked with over the years and wish them well for the future.