The late Daniel Kennedy Daniel Kennedy, a retired garda superintendent formerly stationed variously in Roundwood, Bray, Callan, Waterford and as a Sergeant in Urlingford and Kilkenny and inspector in the Bridewell, Dublin and superindendent in Mayo is remembered by his colleagues of that time. Recently retired Sgt Eddie Geraghty and Garda Mick Howe were some of the 'greats' of his time that recall a strong Kerryman of honour, compassion and keen sense of humour. He was a man strong in his conviction and enforced the law with not only a sense of duty but of fairness. He did not suffer fools lightly and there were a few who could vouch for that. The 'job' was a community to protect. There were stories told of families where the mother was at risk of violence but never free to give evidence and the children would come running to the Garda station to seek help. One infamous case had the perpetrator 'escorted' in merely his vest through the streets of Callan to his waiting cell, Garda Kennedy only stopping briefly at the local 'guardian of gossip' to seek a blanket to cover the miscreant's modesty. Not surprisingly this was not a repeat offender. He stood guardian over those who were weak, fearful or in need. Hehad the somewhat mysterious epithet of being the 'man who could calm a certain housing area in Callan in its days of dissent.' The 'job' was not just a patrolling of the jurisdiction but an involvement with every aspect of people's lives. The laws relating to the mentally ill are only changing now and in his day it was men like him that were often left to cajole and urge individuals who might be a danger to others but more often to themselves for treatment to hospital. Sometimes you needed the strength of ten men, of Garda Mick Howe to control the chaos. Sometimes you could be attacked or have a shot gun aligned at the door but despite the dangers his main concern was always the person. On one occasion he had to sit with a man even larger than himself with a gun across his lap crying as he sat in his kitchen and looked up at the non-existent stars but Garda Kennedy naturally just sat with him, lit a couple of cigarettes and joined in the discussion to gently guide him to needed help. At just six feet with the broad shoulders of a Kerry full back, no challenger could pass him or attempt a clout before he would he bundled unceremoniously into the cell. Not all of his daily duties were charged with such intensity as when in the midst of the floods that ran through John Street he had to, from a boat, fish out the happiest revellers hauling away floating barrels of ale. His happiest days were in Kilkenny with what proved to be the most important aspects of his life. He brought his young bride to Callan in 1949 and with various Garda stations the family grew. Fr Kieron had the final years of his primary schooling in the CBS and then to his name sake's college where he is now president. Donal, born in Kilkenny and who followed his father's footsteps into the force, Dr Miriam who was born in Waterford and returned recently to the Waterford Regional and the Dept of Old Age and Psychiatry and Dorothy who entered a profession not totally in keeping with her father's aspirations by completing her apprenticeship with Poe Kiely Hogan Solicitors, Patrick Street. A keen footballer who played with The Varty Gaels, and Bray Emmets in the late 1940s and Coolagh, his love of GAA continued right up to the last day. His greatest concern on the day he died was 'what was the score?" Unfortunately he passed away just hours before the kick off the Kerry game on August 20th, 2006. There were many reasons why he wanted to be 'brought back' to Kilkenny. The family connections was one but also this county witnessed his happiest times and best memories. There were days when he cycled to Waterford on temporary transfer. He lived in Dominic Street beside the garda station and was a neighbour of the late Garda Dan Nolan and his family. Before there was St Rioch's Terrace when the acquisition of the first telly on the terrace had the excitement of pointing the ariel toward Dublin and removing the 'snow' to relayed shouts from the Whelan kids next door while the local sergeant hung in the balance on the roof. He would always shout for Kerry in football. To adapt a favourite quote of his; "In spite of his fine mind and academic training, he showed much of the sentimentality and spontaneous romantic nationalism of the Kerry Republican." However when it came to hurling he was an avid supporter of the Cats. He would not have missed the fight for the McCarthy although this year's game might have taken him if he had not gone before. Therefore the link with the county continued even in death. P. Molloy & Sons, the funeral directors from Callan who provided the large granite cross that made its way by train to Portmagee, Co Kerry for his mother's resting place in 1967 was the same firm that led his cortege to Foulstown. Warm memories of a great man, a Kerryman abroad in Kilkenny. The Kilkenny People wrote a tribute to him on his transfer and promotion to inspector of the Bridewell in 1968. The article quoted Judge Coughlan stating, "he had an underlaying knowledge of the people and their affairs which was a great value to the community ... his attitude to those who fell foul of the law by reason of more serious offense was directed to their rehabilitation and if he didn't say anything in favour of an offender that offender must have been very undeserving ... those who would be called on to serve under him might rest assured that they had in him a senior partner rather than a task master." The judge went on to say the only complaint he had against Sgt Kennedy "arose from his excessive kindness. He saw to it that a parking place was reserved for me outside the courthouse, but he generally left me about six inches longer than my car and I felt like an applicant on a driving test. However, I know his intentions were of the best as he waved me to and fro until I managed to come to rest within 18 inches of the path. No wonder I often tried to get into the Market Yard before he could see me." Later, on his retirement the Western People included some comments from Judge Partrick Brennan that "things would never be the same again." Dan Kennedy was laid to rest on August 24, 2006 following Mass in St Canice's Parish Church, Kilkenny, celebrated by his son Fr Kieron, many priests of the diocese of Ossory with Canon William Crean (Caherciveen), Archdeacon Tom Crean (Kenmare), Mgr James Curry and Fr Martin Hayes (Westminister), Fr Dan Cummins (Dublin) and Fr Sean O'Connor (St Kieran's College) in the presence of Bishop Laurence Forristal, family, friends and colleagues. Courtesy of The Kilkenny People 15/09/2006 Tweet

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