His family and friends in Carlow were saddened to learn of the sudden passing on Monday 13 January of Richard Oliver (Dick) Walshe, Ardlea Road, Artane, Dublin and formerly of 51 St Killian's Crescent, Carlow. Dick, who was aged 76, died from a suspected heart attack. He was son of the late James and Mary (nee Connolly) Walshe and a member of a large family, some of whom were fine hurlers and footballers. Dick Walsh played football for The O'Hanrahan's and played county minor in the mid-1950s with a fine Carlow side.
He qualified as a psychiatric nurse, working in St Dympna's Hospital, Carlow before joining An Garda Siochana in 1958. He served first as a rookie in both Blackrock and Dalkey before being appointed to the detective branch in Store Street in 1962. Dick also served at the Bridewell headquarters and Pearse Street. He picked up a number of promotions along the way. Dick was made a detective sergeant in 1968, detective inspector in 1978 and was appointed to the rank of detective superintendent in 1985.
In August 1997, he retired after 40 years' service. He captained the winning garda team in the depot football league of 1958, a commendable achievement for a Carlow player. Dick was married to Mary Conlon, Browneshill Road, Carlow, who died in 1980 after a brief illness, leaving him to rear a young family. This task Dick undertook with vigour and despite the tragic loss of Mary at such an early age, the Walshe home was always a happy and peaceful place, with a warm welcome at all times.
One gained a clear insight into the working life of Dick Walshe from an article which was published in the Garda Review, penned by Detective Garda Alan Bailey of the Bridewell station, in tribute to Dick on his retirement.
He described Dick Walshe as "one of the last of the real detectives," adding: "he is an investigator for whom catching criminals is a way of life and not just an unfortunate consequence of in investigating crime."
Detective Garda Bailey recalled meeting Dick Walshe first on Christmas Day 1975. It was the beginning of a friendship that spanned many years. He continued: "In the late 1970s, Dick Walshe arrived in the 'D' District as our detective inspector, where he rapidly settled in and went on to lead one of the most successful detective units in the city. "His philosophy was simple. Good detectives were graduates of the school of life, with the streets being the universe. He always claimed that they required the following attributes: natural cunning, the ability to adapt to each given situation, common sense and humanity.
"One thing I learnt quickly was that the gruff facade masked an intelligent, articulate and perceptive brain. In conversation, he is as likely to quote Jung or Nietzsche as Andy Capp. He possesses a great wit and is a master of the one-line putdown."
Dick was waked at home before removal of his remains to St John Vianney Church, Ardlea Road for his funeral Mass on Thursday morning, 16 January. His funeral took place immediately afterwards to Glasnevin Crematorium.
Dick is survived by his children Jacinta Schweppe (Swords), Miriam Walshe (Kilkenny), Brenda Ward (Blessington, Co. Wicklow), Ruth Fanning (Taghmon, Co Wexford) and Damian (Portmarnock), by his brothers Willie (Duncannon Road, Taghmon, Co Wexford), Jimmy (Seamus, Rathmines), Paddy (Naas), Ned (Kilbarrack), Freddy (Carlow), Matthew (Carlow) and Brendan (Tipperary), by his ten grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law Nora James (Browneshill Road, Carlow), other relatives, neighbours and friends in Carlow and Dublin.
Dick was predeceased by his brother Con and sister Mary Claire.

The Nationalist, 28th January 2014 Tweet

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