Derek Smart has been appointed as the Chief Superintendent of the Tipperary Garda Division.

A native of Limerick City, Derek served in Co Clare for three years based in both Ennis and Ennistymon as Superintendent. The Garda district expanded during his time in the county to take in all of East Clare.

He returned to Henry St Garda Station in February 2015 as part of widespread reshuffles announced by then Garda Commissioner, Noirín O’Sullivan. Smart joined An Garda Síochána in 1990 and was first assigned to Mountjoy then beginning his first stint at Henry St in 1994. Three years later he was given detective duties and moved to Mayorstone Park.

A 2004 promotion to Sergeant and subsequent move to Croom followed before returning to Mayorstone Park after two years. He spent two years in Tralee after being boosted to Inspector, once again a return to Limerick resulted in his stationing at Roxboro Rd.

As he continued to climb the ladder, Smart became a Superintendent starting at Clonakilty in 2012 and later that year relocated to Clare spending three years in the Banner County.

On Monday he started his new role as Chief Supt in Tipperary and he pointed out to The Clare Echo that he is going for his third crown having been a District Officer in Clare for their 2013 All-Ireland hurling success, Limerick last year and could be preparing to assist with another homecoming should Liam Sheedy’s charges overcome Brian Cody’s Kilkenny in August.

Related News

Photograph by Eamon Ward
New Fossil Sharks Discovered in the Burren
ennis courthouse 1
A man in his 90s set to be taken to trial for sexual assault
Shannon Airport (2)
Bail secured for "rebel" man who caused criminal damage to a US military plane
tommy-tiernan-2-1
€50m spent on abandoned offshore windfarm which was opposed by Comedian Tommy Tiernan
Latest News
st breckans vs lissycasey 02-05-26 padraig kelly conor finnucane 1
Three-way tie at top of Cusack Cup amid big confusion over Kilmurry Ibrickane & Éire Óg result
o'callaghans mills vs clarecastle 08-05-26 conor henry stephen o'halloran 1
Mills only unbeaten side in Clare Cup & Éire Óg pick up first win of 2026
cork vs clare minor 27-04-26 stephen o'neill 1
Kerry knock out Clare of minor football championship
Photograph by Eamon Ward
New Fossil Sharks Discovered in the Burren
ennis courthouse 1
A man in his 90s set to be taken to trial for sexual assault
Premium
Kerry knock out Clare of minor football championship
Bail secured for "rebel" man who caused criminal damage to a US military plane
€50m spent on abandoned offshore windfarm which was opposed by Comedian Tommy Tiernan
Sex offender's family-run business had accumulated profits of over €600k
Offaly's visit to Ennis in Tailteann Cup opener ends in defeat

Annual Subscription!

The Clare Echo annual subscription for just €69.99 a year. 

Prefer to pay monthly? Click the monthly option and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. 

Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.