Tributes as former Portlaoise Garda Superintendent retires
Garda Superintendent John Lawless has retired after a varied career that included the top role in Portlaoise. Photo: An Garda Síochána Laois-Offaly
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Portlaoise Garda Superintendent, who will retire this week after a long and varied career.
Supt John Lawless, who took over the top role in Portlaoise five years ago, was described by colleagues today as a calm professional who had ‘an unwavering belief in doing the right thing by people’.
His career included many years in the Laois-Offaly division and the wider midlands, as well as service with the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).
Supt Lawless moved to Portlaoise from Birr, Co Offaly in October 2020, at the height of the Covid pandemic. He subsequently made the return journey across the divisional county border and has been based at Tullamore Garda Station since last February, with responsibility for the Offaly Community Engagement Functional Area.
Congratulating him on his retirement, colleagues said Supt Lawless served with distinction across many roles in the Laois–Offaly division and in stations and units across Irishtown, GNBCI, Mullingar, Athlone, Gort, Ballymote, Birr, Portlaoise and Tullamore.
In a warm tribute on social media, An Garda Síochána Laois–Offaly said: ‘John has always been, first and foremost, a people person - approachable, fair and deeply committed to community policing in its truest sense.
‘Whether as Inspector or Superintendent, his leadership was defined by calm professionalism, compassion and an unwavering belief in doing the right thing by people.
‘From all of us across the division, past and present, we extend our sincere thanks and best wishes to John on his retirement. His contribution to policing and to the communities he served will not be forgotten.
‘Wishing you every happiness and good health in the years ahead, John - you’ve earned it. .’
