Former Wicklow Garda Mick Fogarty dies – we’ve lost ‘one of life’s gentlemen’

The Carnew community was rocked on Thursday morning when news broke that former Garda and beloved local character Michael ‘Mick’ Fogarty had sadly passed away.

Described as a “loveable, giant of a man”, Mick was a dedicated and loyal public servant who excelled during his three decades of service with An Garda Síochána.

The father of two was stationed in Carnew for the majority of his career, save for a couple of years spent in New Ross, Co Wexford, and a two year stint manning the Dundalk border during The Troubles.

Speaking after the passing of his father, Mick’s son Paul said that the former Garda had endless stories about his time spent on duty, particularly from his wild summers spent in Courtown, Wexford.

“Oh some of the stories my dad used to have from Courtown – him and his friend John O’Gara,” Paul joked. “That would’ve been around the time the Ballroom was there, and all the boys would come down from Dublin. It was a different time back then down there, just a really wild place on the Friday and Saturday night.

“I remember him telling me about one Saturday night, himself and O’Gara spotted a few lads just hanging around sitting on a wall. Just for a bit of craic, they went over to them and asked: ‘Weren’t you the boys who were causing all that trouble down here last night?’. The lads looked at each other and all start pleading: ‘No, no, that wasn’t us – we swear!’

“Then O’Gara asked them: ‘Have ye lads you ever seen the Hickory?’ They all looked at each other again, all of them puzzled, and shook their heads. Quick as anything, O’Gara whipped out his baton, and said ‘Well, have a good look at it now – because you’re about to get it!’. Scared the life out of them so he did!

“Ah, my dad loved the work, mostly because of the people. He was never interested in climbing the ranks, he just wanted to be out in the public with Joe soap. That’s just the kind of man he was.

“He was a strong man. Sure he was still driving the jeep around earlier this week, at 90 years-old, without a bother on him! He lived a rich and full life so he did. We’d all be lucky to have a life like his.”

Originally from Drom in Tipperary, Mick joined the Gardai when he was 20 years-old and moved to Carnew shortly thereafter. He became heavily involved in local GAA, playing in midfield for title-winning teams and sharing the field with legendary Wicklow hurlers like Willy Hillard.

Tributes to Mick have been pouring in online since he passed, with mourners praising his “loyal and caring soul”. As David and Margaret Bower put it, Mick was simply “one of life’s gentlemen”.

Tinahely Councillor Vincent Blake was left shell-shocked by the sad news. “I would have known Mick for years and I couldn’t praise the man enough,” Cllr Blake said.

“Mick was an absolute gentleman. A lovely fella – you couldn’t meet a nicer one to be honest. In and out of the uniform, he was always the same. In terms of doing his job, he was absolutely first class.

“I remember when they used to send Mick down to Courtown. Let me tell you, there was never any trouble in that village when Mick was in it. Those lads coming down from Dublin probably thought they would have free rein, but not when big Mick was around!”

Mick is survived by his wife Ann and sons Michéal and Paul.

Reposing will be at his home in Tomacork Y14CH79, on Saturday from 12.00 p.m. The removal will take place on Sunday, to St. Brigid's Church Tomacork, arriving for the funeral mass at 12.30 p.m.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a aimn dilís.