PW_3_2025

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Section Ireland members Garda Derek Moroney and Garda Brendan Matthews, No 2 Region members DC Marie Rafferty and DC Deiirdre Mahony with members of US Marine Corps

Diane McConaghie and Sean Haveron Boston Harbour

Cheers Bar

Deirdre Mahony with Boston Traffic Officers

Celebrating St Patrick’s Day In Boston by Deirdre Mahony , Chair IPA UK No 2 region N. Ireland No 2 Region members, Diane Maconaghie, Sean Haveron, Marie Rafferty and Deirdre Mahony accepted an invitation from Section Ireland to accompany them on a trip to Boston, Massachusetts, to take part in the St Patrick’s Day parade.

T he hospitality from Boston Police and our hosts Jimmy Devlin , Pete Bramante and Tina Langley, who organised everything from the US side, was exceptional. Ann Liston Section Ireland, who organised the trip assisted by Donal Sweeney looked after us all so well. We numbered 82 in total so not a mean feat. Taking part in the Parade was quite an incredible experience. It was a 3 ½ mile walk through South Boston with an estimated one million spectators, all dressed up for the occasion, but none so more than our own Diane Maconaghie who, had there been one, would surely have received the prize for best dressed lady. We were also hosted by Boston Police Emerald Society on one of the evenings for a reception. We exchanged police patches and had a really fun evening. Another highlight was a trip to Salem. We were met by former Peabody Police Dept Lt Sheila McDaid, we had a walking tour of the town and a visit to the Salem Witch Museum, which was fascinating and well worth the visit. A few had the wisdom to hire bicycles and do a coastal tour. Good advice for anyone wishing to visit Salem. Although November is the busiest time to visit, I think it was worth getting such an intimate view of Salem without hordes of tourists. Essentially, we were the only tourists on our visit and it is such an easy train ride from Boston. We were treated to a trip around the harbour by the Boston State Police Marine Unit on their environmental patrol boats. Our hosts here were Lt. Colonel Marc Lavoie and Retired Lt. Colonel Jimmy Concannon. Our Sean Haveron even got to captain one of the boats, having informed the Lt Col Lavoie that this was the only form of transport he hadn’t driven previously and, thankfully, we all survived his brief navigation of Boston Harbour. Boston is a really beautiful city and the home of Cheers, which of course also featured on our itinerary. They can now add a PSNI patch to their collection of police patches at Cheers. Our thanks to Section Ireland for organising this incredible trip and letting us come along for the ride.

No 2 Region Deirdre Mahony & Irish Wolfhound, Seamus

Marie Rafferty and Derek Maroney

Diane McConaghie with a selection of her new male friends

Deirdre Mahony, best Dressed Lady Diane McConaghie and Marie Rafferty

Salem Witch Museum

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POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.3, 2025