New sergeant takes up post in Enfield

Sergeant Frank Vaughan has been assigned to Enfield Garda Station to replace Sergeant Jim Queeney, who passed away suddenly in June. Sgt Vaughan has been based in Athboy for the past three-and-a-half years and took up his new post last month. He qualified as a garda in 1974 and spent four years in Donegal before being posted to Enfield Garda Station in 1978, where he spent 15 years. Sgt Vaughan was posted at Ronanstown in Dublin for 10 years, and was also previously based in Kilcock and in County Cavan. Originally from Longford, Sgt Vaughan has been living in Johnstownbridge for 30 years, since he was first posted to Enfield. His mother is originally from Enfield and his grandfather was stationmaster at Moyvalley Railway Station. His father, also Frank, played senior county football for Meath in 1944, played for Longwood Football Club and also played senior football with Longford. Sgt Vaughan remarked it was terrible that Sergeant Queeney had been taken so young, and also local publican Charlie Flanagan, and extended his sympathies to their families. There are currently two sergeants and nine Gardai assigned to Enfield Garda Station although these numbers are well down on previous years. According to Sgt Vaughan, at one stage, there were 24 Gardai stationed at Enfield adding that those who retire or move on are not being replaced. He also explained that the Irish Industrial Explosives factory near the village now falls into Kildare"s area since the recent Garda boundary review and Enfield Gardai are no longer involved in guarding the plant. He said that the new boundaries also meant that Castlejordan, Ballinabrackey and Ballyboggan all now fall into the Longwood/Enfield Garda area. Sgt Vaughan said that this brought new challenges for Gardai as the area is 'completely new' and they would need to get to know the area and the people.