Kildare superintendent bids farewell after 31 years service

AFTER a stellar career spanning over three decades, Athy native Superintendent Oliver Henry retired from An Garda Síochána at the weekend (13 March).

“I did the Leaving Cert in ’92 in Scoil Eoin in Athy, and entered Templemore in July 1995, so it’s been nearly 31 years,” he said.

“I was Superintendent in Naas from 2019 to 2025, and since then I’ve been in charge of the South Kildare District, which is practically two-thirds of the whole county which kept me very busy.”

The Kildare Nationalist felt his retirement is well-earned at this stage, and enquired as to whether he’d take up gardening, or sail the Atlantic single-handed, but the former superintendent has other things on his mind.

“I’m working on transitioning into a new career, but I won’t say what it is just now, but I loved my time in the guards,” said the father of four.

Supt Henry is well known for his involvement with Athy Rugby Club.

“I originally played with the guards until 2006 when I moved back to play with Athy in 2006, and then into the coaching,” he said.

As regards his formal send-off, he was actually given two with a coffee morning in Newbridge Community Centre following an evening do in 33 South Main Street in Naas. Supt Henry knows his replacement, and it looks like gardaí are staying fairly local, with Carlow native Barry Mills taking over the reins from this week.

The Kildare community will surely wish Supt Henry the best in his next chapter.