TRIBUTES have been extended to a Broadford sergeant who died while off-duty in a road accident.
Garda Sergeant Andrew O’Riordan was the passenger in a car that crashed into an oak tree on the R466 outside the village of Broadford on Sunday evening. His death has caused heartbreak across the communities of East Clare.
Sergeant O’Riordan, a father of five, was a popular member of the Limerick garda division, based at Mayorstone Garda Station in the city and was highly regarded in the village of Broadford.
In 2023, he took part in a diplomatic exchange in France, graduating from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Police after a year of training. He was the first English speaker to complete the course
A fluent French speaker, Andrew was one of over 40 Gardaí who assisted French police during the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Married to Stéphanie, they had five children, Amélie, Steffen, Gabrielle, Jonathan and Axel.
Frank Thornton, a former president of the Garda Representative Association, said Sgt O’Riordan was a highly regarded member of the force. He said he was widely respected for the support and encouragement he gave to colleagues throughout his career, particularly younger members and new recruits. “Our hearts go out to his wife and family,” he stated. “A huge void has been left in the division, not just in Limerick, but in the wider garda family. He will be sorely missed”.
In a statement, Broadford GAA club detailed that Broadford, Kilbane and Kilmore have “been left shocked and deeply saddened” by Andrew’s passing. “There are simply no words that can adequately express the sadness felt throughout our community at this heartbreaking time. Broadford Hurling Club and Broadford/Bodyke Camogie Club extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to Andrew’s wife, Stephanie, their five children, and to all of Andrew’s family, friends and loved ones.
“Andrew and Stephanie’s children have been involved at various levels of our underage hurling and camogie clubs over the years, and our thoughts are especially with them as they face this unimaginable loss. As a community, we stand together in support of the O’Riordan family and keep them in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and weeks ahead,” the statement added.
Investigations into the circumstances of the fatal collision are ongoing. A technical examination of the scene concluded on Monday, and Gardaí are carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the area. They are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision to contact them, particularly road users who were travelling on the R466 at Gortnaglogh around the time of the crash and who may have camera footage, including dash-cam recordings. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station.
Andrew will repose in St. Peter’s Church Broadford on Thursday 30th July from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass on Friday 31st July at 12noon followed by burial afterwards in the Church grounds.
Deeply missed by his heartbroken family, loving wife Stéphanie, children Amélie, Steffen, Gabrielle, Jonathan and Axel, parents Patrick and Kathleen, sister Joanne and her husband David Kerr. Parents-in-law Jean-Claude Sachet and Marie-France Sachet, brother-in-law Ivan Sachet and his partner Hélena Rigal. Nieces and nephews Christopher, Alannah, Charlotte, Matthew, Léïla and Yaëlle, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, work colleagues in Mayorstone and Henry St, Garda Stations, neighbours and his many friends.
