Passing of retired Athlone Garda Superintendent
The death has been announced of a significant figure in policing history of Athlone in the 20th century.
John O'Brien spent over 20 years with An Garda Siochana in Athlone, including some five years as Superintendent.
The Offaly native passed away on Tuesday, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.
Predeceased by his beloved wife Madeline and grandson Nathan, he is sadly missed by his loving sons and daughters Pat, Seán, Vincent, Anne Marie and Sheena, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brother Joe, sisters Kitty and Rita, his adoring grandchildren Niall, John, James, Eoin, Rebecca, Grace, Katie, Ruby, Abigail, Liam, Mia and Amber, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends,
The late John O'Brien retired from An Garda Siochana in 1997 after a 39-year career.
A native of Rahan, Tullamore, he joined the Gardai in May 1958, at the age of 20, before being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1966.
His early career saw him serve in Ballyconnell, Maynooth, Carlow, Leitrim, Multyfarnham and Tarmonbarry, before he moved to Athlone in 1972, where he served as Sergeant until his promotion to Inspector in 1988.
He was then stationed in Ballina, in Mayo, for a year, before a promotion to Superintendent saw him work in Swinford for three years.
In 1992 he returned to Athlone where he served as Superintendent up to his retirement in 1997.
The late Supt O'Brien is reposing at his residence, St Judes, Arcadia, Athlone, on Thursday evening from 3pm until 7pm. Requiem Mass in Our Lady's Queen of Peace Church, Coosan on Friday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Coosan Cemetery.
House private on Friday morning please
For those who wish to live stream John's Funeral Mass, please click on the link below on Friday at 12 noon: