A centenary event to celebrate the first Commissioner of An Garda Síochána took place at Michael Staines’ birthplace in Newport, on Wednesday.
A plaque in his honour was unveiled by the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his grandson Michael Staines at Canon Killeen Park in the town.
Staines was born in Newport in 1885, to his parents Margaret and Edward. He was a founding member of the Police Organising Committee, established to plan the formation of Ireland’s first unarmed police and security service.
After being appointed the first Commissioner of An Garda Síochána he led the very first recruits through the gates on Dublin Castle in August, 1922 when the former centre of British Rule was formally handed over.
