Folklore: Limerick Leader

Poteen hunter steps down after 35 years

Saturday, March 24th, 2001

Stepping down: Garda Denis O'Callaghan who has retired from the Garda' after 37 years, 35 of which were spent in Ardnacrusha(LL)

THE man who kept the heat on local poteenmakers has stepped down after 35 years in the job.

Garda Denis O'Callaghan retired this week from Ardnacrusha where he spent the past 35 years.

Among his many duties was sniffing out poteenmakers in the Clare hills come September and the start of the long winter nights.

His sergeant for the past 10 years, Tom Carroll described his colleague as "very popular, very well known and gets on well with all".

"He served the test of time very well" said Sgt Carroll of his colleague's 35 years in the one station and 37 years in the force.