'Kilkenny is gaining a leader of immense calibre': Top cop on way to new post in Marble City

Congratulations and warm wishes have been extended to Chief Superintendent Eamon Curley of the Laois-Offaly division on his new promotion and impending transfer to Kilkenny.

The Laois Offaly Garda Division has confirmed the departure of Superintendent Eamon Curley due to his promotion as Chief Superintendent in neighbouring Kilkenny-Carlow Garda Division. His promotion was marked by a celebration at the Laois Offaly HQ in Portlaoise. 

"Today, we take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge the well-deserved promotion of Eamon Curley to the rank of Chief Superintendent and his transfer to Kilkenny. Eamon has been a beacon of professionalism, empathy, and kindness during his time in Laois-Offaly, always keeping the public at the heart of every decision he made," colleagues said.

"His dedication to service and his ability to thrive under pressure have made a lasting impact on our communities. Kilkenny is gaining a leader of immense calibre, and while Laois-Offaly will surely miss him, we know he will continue to bring his unwavering dedication and care to his new role. Congratulations, Eamon – we wish you every success in this new chapter!"

Chief Superintendent Curley was first appointed Superintendent in the Leixlip District of Kildare in July 2020, following terms as Detective Sergeant in Athlone and Inspector in Portlaoise. He was appointed Superintendent in the Tullamore Garda District in November 2021 before taking up a similar post in Portlaoise.

He co-founded the Cara Curley Fund in 2017 to financially support Garda families affected by serious illness. Cara Curley is the beloved daughter of Eamon and Yvonne Curley who died in aged eight years after a brave battle with leukaemia.

Comments came flying in under the post with the public from Laois and Offaly also extending their congratulations, with one commenter writing: "Congrats and thank you for service and support in keeping us safe."

While another wrote: "Congratulations to you Kilkenny and Carlow will welcome you with open arms."

Chief Supt Curley's departure means that Laois policing is in line for a change of the guard just as the near €30 million renovation of Portlaoise Garda Station gets underway. Gardaí are in the final stages of decamping from Portlaoise Garda Station. Garda management and other policing sections are due to relocate out of the building to offices on the Dublin Road at Grattan House.

The public office will remain open in the Abbeyleix Road building in the short term before relocating to prefabs outside the building during the main part of the construction process. Some staff are already working at the MDA in Mountmellick.

More use will also be made of Abbeyleix Garda Station due to its custodial facilities. Builders are understood to be ready to commence work on the Garda station which will involve the overhaul of the existing premises and building of a new wing to the rear. 

Outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris turned the sod on the near €30 million development in late 2024. It is due to be completed by mid-2027 and is being overseen by the Gardaí and Office of Public Works. Apart from being Portlaoise's station it is also the base for policing in Laois and serves as the Laois Offaly Division HQ.