Tributes paid after death of popular retired Tullamore Garda

Tributes have been paid to a retired Tullamore Garda who passed away suddenly last week.

Rahan resident Aidan McHugh died unexpectedly, surrounded by his family, in the care of the staff at the ICU Unit of Tullamore General Hospital on Tuesday, March 31.

His death has come as a shock to his adopted community in which he was held in high esteem as a husband, father, colleague, neighbour and friend.

Originally from Strokestown in County Roscommon, McHugh served as a member of An Garda Siochana in Tullamore during the 1980s, retiring from his post as a detective some years ago.

Recognised within the Tullamore community for his presence as a Garda, he was also renowned for his sporting exploits having won an All-Ireland U21 football medal with his native Roscommon in 1978. He previously won a Connacht minor medal with his Roscommon in 1975.

His love of gaelic football was evident during his playing days with Tullamore (whom he joined following his transfer to the town as a Garda) and he was a member of the panel which was defeated by a strong Ferbane team in the 1992 senior championship final.

Such was the esteem in which he was held within the community, one tribute paid on Rip.ie said "in my 45 years in Mucklagh, I have never seen such a big funeral, a testament of the extraordinary bond that Aidan formed with so many people".

Tullamore GAA said Aidan was "a great footballer who will be fondly remembered by all who knew him and played with him in the blue and white, who will be sadly missed."

Former colleagues also paid tribute on Rip.ie, describing Aidan as "a gentleman with a great understanding of how to be the best in class at his job, a garda that knew how to do the job in a way that not many others did".

The Offaly branch of An Garda Siochána Retired Members Association described Aidan as "a great colleague and good friend", while a former member of the Tullamore An Garda Siochana said Aidan was "always kind and helpful" and a "great man to sing a song".

Another former colleague said Aidan was a "friend to everyone he met and a mentor to all new arrivals to Tullamore Garda Station, always available to advise and share his knowledge".

Another member of the local community said Aidan was a "class act and a great neighbour", who was "a great service to our community back when we knew the names of the gardaí in our town," adding, "They don't make them like Aidan anymore".

Aidan is survived by his loving wife and best friend Marie (Grennan), daughter Karen, son Ted, brothers, Micheál, David, Dessie, Denis and Cyril, sisters Maeve and Dorothy, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, former colleagues of An Garda Síochána, friends and also Aidan's many friends within the GAA.

A funeral service for Aidan took place in St Colman's Church Mucklagh on Saturday morning last after which a private cremation followed.

May he rest in peace.