Long-serving officers honoured in ceremony at Limerick Prison

LIAM MacCarthy and the O’Duffy Cup were brought together on Mulgrave Street, as Limerick Prison honoured its long serving and “dedicated” officers for their years of service with an award ceremony with their families. 

Officers who have spent 21 and 30 years of service within the prison system, and their families were honoured at a special ceremony last week at Limerick Prison. 

Each long-serving officer was presented with a medal and congratulated by Irish Prison Service director general Michael Donnellan, Limerick Prison Governor Mark Kennedy and Metropolitan Mayor Daniel Butler.  

“It was an honour to have been able to attend the event,” Metro Mayor Daniel Butler said. 

“To see such long service of 21 or 30 years is not as common any more so it’s incredible to see that level of commitment from staff. 

“I want to acknowledge the great work prison officers do in an often challenging environment.”

“The work can be challenging at times, mentally, emotionally and physically given what they are exposed to.” 

Prison officers play a significant and important role within society, Cllr Butler said. 

“I also want to pay tribute to their families as well, who often have to be a support to them when they come home from a difficult shift because they can be exposed to very difficult stories or realities.

“Their families play an important part in all of that too.” 

In honour of his own service, director general Donnellan, who is well respected within the Irish Prison Service, was also presented with his own replica of Limerick Prison’s the ‘Tree of Life’ fountain, the sculpture in the foreground of the building. 

Mr Donnellan is due to retire from the IPS at the end of November, having taken up his role in 2011.  

Earlier in the night, Limerick senior hurlers Sean Finn, Shane Dowling and Peter Casey presented a framed picture of the 2018 Limerick Senior Hurling panel to Governor Mark Kennedy.