When Garda Noel Nicholson turned the key on the door of Pallaskenry Garda Station recently, it brought down the curtain on forty years of dedicated service as a member of the Garda Síochána.

Noel is a native of south Roscommon, he retired having joined the force in November 1972.

On completion of training he was posted to Edward Street in Limerick where he very much enjoyed his time in Limerick city.

He was transferred to Askeaton and was appointed personal assistant to the Superintendent and served 10 years in the town. Noel moved to Pallaskenry in 1990 and served there until his retirement last week.

Noel lives in the Pallaskenry area and has been involved with the local GAA and Community Games for the last 20 years. He was treasurer of the GAA club for many years and chairman of the Community Games for a number of years. For the past 10 years Noel has been co-ordinating the Community Alert groups in the Kilcornan, Kildimo and Pallaskenry areas.

Married to Martina and the father of two sons and two daughters Noel with much more time on his hands says he will attend more rugby matches and play more golf. He will also have more time to visit his elderly mother who is a nonagenarian but is still hale and hearty in South Roscommon. “Martina has a list of jobs for me to do around the house,” he added.