When the Gardaí Are the Good Guys: A Joyride of Happiness
Well, well, well! You know you’ve made it in life when the Gardaí come knocking at your door, but this isn’t the usual “we’re here to collect evidence” kind of visit. No, folks, this is the kind of ride that would make James Bond blush with envy! In County Limerick, young Cian Browne Vaughan was the luckiest seven-year-old alive after a surprise visit from none other than the boys and girls in blue! And we’re not talking just any old patrol car; we’re talking about a high-powered Nexus Type-R Golf seized from the bad guys and repurposed for the good – like that vegan curry your mate claims is ‘just as good’ as a proper steak. Spoiler: it’s not.
Cian’s obsession started in the unlikeliest of places – a McDonald’s. Who knew a Big Mac could lead to such a huge life change? A chance encounter with Garda Pat Hartigan lit a spark, and now Cian’s life revolves around the Gardaí. His family visits so many Garda stations they might as well get a loyalty card. “Congratulations, you’ve stamped your 10th station – here’s your free t-shirt!” Talk about turning a family outing into a police tour!
Ellen, Cian’s mother, must have a special ringtone for these occasions. Don’t call me for chicken nuggets; call me when you spot a Garda! When they heard that the Nexus would be at an event in Donegal, the family hopped into their car, but they missed it by a whisker. You can’t blame them for trying; it’s like getting excited for a concert only to find out you’re driving through the wrong part of town. But what’s this? The Gardaí pulled a “hold my beer” and turned a missed event into a surprise! Ellen had a word with their local garda, and suddenly this encounter went from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’ faster than you can say “do you have a permit for that?”
Next thing you know, Inspector Padraigh Sutton and the team decided that a little surprise was in order and arranged to bring the car straight to Cian’s doorstep. I mean, that’s not just kind; that’s what we call a 10/10 on the good deed scoreboard, folks! And let’s not even start on the arrival itself – the sirens blaring, lights flashing – forget any birthday parties; we have a mini police escort that would make the Queen envious!
During their two-hour escapade, Cian was treated with all the royal flair. Sweet treats? Check. Traffic directing props? Check. A police car that doesn’t even turn off the siren – someone must have really enjoyed their role! Cian beamed with joy; you’d think he was the newly appointed Junior Garda Chief. “Wave at everyone!” Oh, you know that’s going to be a photo op for the county scrapbook! The hearty laugh of Clyde the Garda as they made Cian feel like a superstar is probably still ringing in the air.
Afterwards, in classic Cian fashion, he fell asleep clutching a beanie hat gifted by Garda Sarah – the hat came off once or twice, mind you, as if Cian were already in training to manipulate the weather! And let’s not overlook his adorable assessment that female Gardaí do “a better job than the boys.” Truly, at such a young age, Cian is already a diplomat of law enforcement!
To show his gratitude, he insisted on buying some Krispy Kreme doughnuts for his newfound friends. Can you say ‘sweet gesture’? It’s not just the sweets – it’s the gesture that melts hearts faster than butter on a hot potato!
This story packs more joy than a puppy at a park and reminds us we can all take a page from the Gardaí’s playbook. Hats off to the team for going “above and beyond!” Maybe next time, they could stop at my house too—who doesn’t want a police escort to the local chippy?
So, if you want to see more of this kindly kindness in action (and herding honorary Garda Cian), check out gardainsta_limerick on Instagram, or catch updates on An Garda Siochana Limerick on Facebook. Because let’s face it, these stories are way more fun than scrolling through memes of cats in costumes!
Now, if only the Gardaí could pull off a surprise visit to where my sock drawer is… who’s with me?
IT’S USUALLY alarming when the gardai arrive at your doorstep with sirens blaring, whisking you away in the back seat. However, for young Cian Browne Vaughan, it was a moment of pure joy, marking a day he would never forget in County Limerick.
Mike Vaughan and Ellen Browne, along with their youngest son Cian, embarked on a long journey from Effin to Donegal, fueled by excitement to see the newly minted Nexus Type-R Golf, a sleek addition to the garda roads policing fleet. Unfortunately, their hopes were dashed when they arrived just moments too late.
The high-powered Volkswagen had been seized in a major police operation that uncovered significant amounts of illegal drugs but had been repurposed to promote road safety education across the region.
Cian, a spirited 7-year-old with autism, developed a fascination with the gardai after a spontaneous encounter with Cork-based garda Pat Hartigan at a McDonald’s restaurant. This charming interaction ignited Cian’s adoration for the police force, leading his family to embrace this newfound passion wholeheartedly.
“That first meeting started Cian’s love for the guards, and now our lives revolve around them! I even got him a little garda uniform and a bike from Smyths. He insisted on having the proper tie and a clip just like the real officers,” Ellen beamed with pride.
“He carries around a notebook to visit all the garda stations, collecting stamps as mementos. Our outings are often not to parks or play areas, but rather to garda stations! If a garda event is happening, you can bet we’ll be there,” she happily recounted.
Ellen noted that during a summer visit to the miniature railway in Clonakilty, they stopped at four garda stations on their way back home. They cherished the little adventures that intertwined their lives with the garda community.
When Ellen learned about the Nexus being featured at an event in Donegal, her hopes soared. However, despite their excitement, the family arrived just a mere half an hour after it departed.
Eager to see the Nexus up close, Ellen reached out to their local garda, Niall McInerney, asking when they could expect the vehicle in Limerick again. Niall, in turn, connected her with Henry Street, where Inspector Padraigh Sutton returned her call with an unexpected surprise: they would personally deliver the car to them after hearing their heartfelt story.
“I was completely amazed. We honestly didn’t expect such kindness from them,” Ellen shared, still in disbelief. Insp. Sutton later followed up with the family to confirm that Sergeant Aoife Bannon and Garda Sarah Durack would be bringing the Nexus to their home the next day, ensuring Cian was kept in the loop as he often dislikes surprises.
The following day, Sergeant Bannon and Garda Durack arrived at their home in Effin, and their grand entrance was nothing short of spectacular. “They had the sirens blaring, lights flashing, everything. They took him to Kilmallock, treated him to sweets and a drink, and even let him direct traffic with a special wand,” Ellen recalled, her eyes sparkling with joy. “They didn’t turn off the siren once we reached the town, encouraging Cian to wave at everyone they passed.”
“They truly made him feel like the most cherished boy in the world. I’ve never witnessed such a genuine smile on his face before,” said an overjoyed Ellen.
Following the monumental two-hour visit from the gardai, Cian was still on an emotional high. “He fell asleep that night wearing a beanie hat that Sarah had gifted him,” Ellen said, chuckling as she recalled Cian’s affinity for the hat, quickly placing it back on when it grew too warm.
“He insists that the girl gardas perform better than the boys,” she added proudly, extending heartfelt gratitude to Insp. Sutton, Sgt. Bannon, and Garda Durack for their exceptional kindness and generosity, stating they had gone “above and beyond” to make Cian’s dreams come true.
In a thoughtful gesture, Cian even requested a stop at Krispy Kreme to pick up doughnuts for the gardai, a delicious way to express his appreciation.
To see and read more about the visit, log onto gardainsta_limerick on Instagram and the An Garda Siochana Limerick page on Facebook, where local gardai share news, safety messages and information on upcoming events.
For more pictures, click ‘Next’
**Interview with Ellen Browne: A Heartwarming Encounter with the Gardaí**
*Interviewer:* Ellen, thank you for joining us today to share this delightful story about your son Cian and his encounter with the Gardaí. It sounds like such a memorable experience!
*Ellen Browne:* Thank you for having me! It really was an unforgettable day for Cian and our family.
*Interviewer:* Can you tell us how Cian’s fascination with the Gardaí began?
*Ellen Browne:* It all started at a McDonald’s when we met Garda Pat Hartigan. Cian had a wonderful interaction with him, and from that moment on, he was completely smitten with the Gardaí. He even has his own little Garda uniform and a bike now!
*Interviewer:* That’s adorable! I hear you’ve turned visiting Garda stations into a family hobby?
*Ellen Browne:* Absolutely! Our family outings often revolve around visiting different Garda stations. Cian has a notebook where he collects stamps from each station as keepsakes. It’s a fun way to explore while supporting what he loves.
*Interviewer:* So, what led to the surprise visit from the Gardaí at your home?
*Ellen Browne:* We were all set to see the Nexus Type-R Golf in Donegal but arrived too late. I reached out to our local Garda out of curiosity, and he connected us to Inspector Padraigh Sutton. To our amazement, he offered to bring the Nexus right to our house!
*Interviewer:* That must have been an incredible surprise for Cian!
*Ellen Browne:* It truly was! The Gardaí arrived the next day with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Cian was over the moon; it was like his own mini parade!
*Interviewer:* What was Cian’s favorite part of the experience?
*Ellen Browne:* He loved everything! They treated him like royalty with sweet treats, traffic directing props, and even a beanie hat as a gift. He was so excited, waving at everyone and enjoying every moment.
*Interviewer:* That’s such a thoughtful gesture from the Gardaí! It sounds like they really made Cian feel special.
*Ellen Browne:* They really did! Cian even insisted on buying Krispy Kreme doughnuts for the officers as a thank-you gesture. It shows how kind-hearted he is.
*Interviewer:* Do you think this experience has changed Cian in any way?
*Ellen Browne:* Definitely! Cian’s confidence has grown, and he often talks about wanting to be a Garda when he grows up. This experience reinforced his belief in kindness and community.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Ellen, for sharing Cian’s heartwarming story. It’s a perfect reminder of the good deeds done by our Gardaí and the impact they can have on young lives!
*Ellen Browne:* Thank you! We’re so grateful for their kindness and hope that more people get to hear these joyful stories.