Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has paid tribute, on behalf of the government and the State, to Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll as he retires following 41 years of service in An Garda Síochána.

Assistant Commissioner O’Driscoll joined the force in 1981 and was originally stationed at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station in Dublin’s North Inner City. He rose through the ranks, serving in areas such as the Garda National Immigration Bureau, Garda National Drug Unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and was being promoted to Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations, in 2016. He has served in multiple districts around the country, including many years in the Dublin Metropolitan Area as well as time in Swinford, Co. Mayo and Rathangan Co. Kildare.

Minister McEntee said, “John O’Driscoll has served the State with integrity and distinction over the course of his 41 year career in policing. Throughout his career, and particularly in difficult days since 2016, John has embodied the finest tradition of An Garda Siochana. His experience, dedication and leadership ensured the success of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in effectively disrupting organised crime groups and bringing to justice many of the most serious criminals.”

“In recent months months, we have seen the work of An Garda Síochána with their international law enforcement partners come to fruition to effectively tackle criminal groups – John’s work has been central to quietly harnessing this coalition of support.