Tom Connolly joined An Garda Siochana in 1955, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. His early days on the force were spent in various villages and towns around Ireland, tracking petty thieves, raiding pubs and patrolling country roads on his bicycle. Back then, before the dawn of DNA profiling, policemen relied on local knowledge and intuition - as well as careful evidence-gathering and interrogation techniques - to make their cases.
Over his forty-year career, Connolly rose to the rank of Detective Superintendent, working on high-profile thefts, assaults and murders with the National Technical Bureau.
This fascinating memoir offers an insight into the day-to-day work of the gardai, and celebrates the courage and dedication of all those who risk their lives to keep us safe.
Detective : A Life Upholding the Law
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Author Description
Tom Connolly was born in Charleville, County Cork, in 1934, the eighth member of a family of thirteen. His father and grandfather were both policemen. He joined the Garda Siochana in 1955, and retired in 1994, having risen to the rank of Detective Superintendent. He has been commended on many occasions for his impartiality and conscientiousness in conducting investigations, and was awarded the Gold Scott Medal for valour in 1975. Tom won senior county football championships with Clonakilty and with Round Towers, Kildare, and played senior inter-county football with both Cork and Kildare for a number of years. Tom's wife Maureen died in 2008.
He has two sons, both Gardai, and a daughter. He lives in Naas, County Kildare.