A LIMERICK based garda was “completely shocked” when awarded the Garda Commissioner’s Gold Medal at her graduation ceremony.
Garda Laura Egan, (27), a native of Terryglass, Co Tipperary, stationed at Henry Street Garda Station, received top honours for achieving the highest aggregate marks in academic subjects out of 126 recruits.
“It was a great day. When I heard my name I was shocked. It really was a nice surprise and it came as a complete shock,” Garda Egan said.
Asked if she had her sights set on making it to the top of An Garda Siochana, she replied: “This will be it for a while, I’d say. I’m happy for now. Promotion, would, of course, be amazing down the line but, I’m only starting out”.
The Garda Commissioner’s Medal is awarded to the student achieving the highest aggregate marks in academic subjects over Phases One, Three and Four in both their training and education.
Laura excelled in Legal, Policing and Technical Studies, the Social Sciences, Communications, Physical Education Studies, Gaeilge and Dissertation, and her colleagues are deep in their praise for her.
“This is our star here. We’re all very proud of her. The award is well deserved and it was well achieved. All her colleagues are delighted for her,” said Sergeant Mary Walsh, Henry Street.
Garda Egan’s academic prowess saw her writing her final year dissertation on domestic violence; however, she knows her work can bring a variety of different things to her day.
“I like working with the public. You can be working out on the beat, or in the office working on a case, or out in the car on a call. No day is the same. I enjoy it all really,” Laura added.
The 27-year old, who is the first of her family to become a garda, thanked “all at Henry Street and Roxboro”, for their support. “i especially want to thank Sgt Mary Walsh, Sgt Jim Hennessy, Sgt Derek Deloughrey, Chief Superintendent David Sheahan, Superintendent Frank O’Brien and Inspector Seamus Ruane”.
Garda, Laura Egan stationed in Henry Street, Limerick with the 2011 Commissioners Medal which was awarded to her at the graduation of new recruits from Garda College, Templemore
Co. Tipperary recently.
Picture by Keith Wiseman
