Corkonians Abroad: Life as a police detective in Toronto

Where it all began...

I have very fond memories of growing up on Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny. We held our own World Cups in the green across the road with the boys from the area, some of whom I still see from time to time when I’m home. My two brothers and I were involved in a number of sports - soccer, rugby, athletics, but priority was usually given to hurling and football with St Vincents.

I went to the A.G. in the North Mon and ultimately spent a couple of years at C.I.T. before heading west to Canada for a summer in 1992. I was presented with an opportunity and wanted to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone. I worked for a landscaping company in Toronto that summer and became involved with the Irish community and the GAA in the city. 

We had some success and I enjoyed it so much, I returned the following year and stayed a little longer.

GAA & Community

Ironically enough, I played Gaelic football for St Vincent’s Toronto due to the fact that there was a bunch of lads from Mayfield already involved with the club at the time, Paddy Burns and Mickey O’Neill. Paddy, myself and ‘Haulers’ O’Meara from Ballinlough were room-mates for a time.

As you can imagine, back before social media and the internet, the GAA was the best way for Irish people, particularly new arrivals, to meet up and gain employment.

I find the ex-pats have a greater appreciation of their Irishness when living abroad. This results in them seeking familiarity like Sunday morning get-togethers at the local Irish bar for the big matches from home.

I met Aisling Smith, daughter of Irish immigrants who travelled over from Meath and Longford in the late ’60s. We started a relationship and eventually got married and moved back to Cork in the late ’90s. She worked for an auctioneering company while I was employed by EMC in Ballincolling. There were some outstanding people working there at the time, some I’m proud to still call friends. There was a fierce GAA culture within the organisation but the rivalries always remained respectful.

We returned to Toronto in 2005 and, a short time later, I was hired as a police officer by Toronto Police. We currently live in the suburbs of Toronto.

I get on great with my in-laws here in Toronto, and they all have a strong connection to Ireland and visit often. 

My wife and her two sisters all ended up marrying Irishmen and it makes for quite a bit of banter at family dinners, but we all get along famously.

Tell us about your work?

I was promoted to Sergeant a few years ago and currently work as a Detective at the Hold-Up Squad with Toronto Police. The investigations include bank and retail robberies, home invasions, and armoured car heists.

Toronto is the largest city in the country and has its fair share of crime, though, I would say, it’s still not as violent as a typical city in the U.S.

Canada has become a popular destination for young Irish people in recent years. There are multiple flights daily with different airlines, including Aer Lingus between Dublin and Toronto. Unlike 30 or 40 years ago, these young professionals who come over are educated and are often successful in gaining experience in their chosen fields, while also getting to experience a different country.

I keep in touch with the news from home and the societal issues we are currently experiencing here are very similar. The rising cost of living, a housing crisis, balancing immigration and rising crime are high on people’s agenda as we head to a federal election in the near future.

There are really only two seasons here and while the summers are great, the winters can be long, cold and harsh. Things usually start to turn a bit warmer around St Patrick’s day.

How do you spend your weekends?

Summer weekends are often spent at my brother and sister-in-law’s cottage a couple hours north of the city. It’s a beautiful spot on a lake and provides an opportunity to go fishing or kayaking. It’s a nice way to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

In winter, it’s a completely different world up there. The lake is frozen over and you have to wear the snowshoes to get around because the snow is so deep.

What’s the culture like in Canada?

Culturally, Canadians tend to have people over for dinner or events such as a big game, whereas we typically head to the pub. Because the winters are so long, winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and especially ice hockey are extremely popular.

The biggest challenge to-date?

Being away from the family is a sacrifice and the biggest challenge, but we do get home at least once a year and the cellphone and Facetime make things a whole lot easier. I keep in regular contact with mam and the family and I’m not a stranger to my nieces and nephews when I land at Cork Airport anymore.

Memorably, some few years ago, mam and the whole family including my sisters-in law and the kids came over for a holiday. 

It was a full house for two weeks but we had some great laughs. More recently, a few of the lads came over for an extra long weekend and made quite an impression.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

Big shout-out to the clan and my cousins, my two brothers David and Stephen who I’m in touch with almost daily. Harry, Emily, John Goulding, John Daly, Mark Carroll, Alan Cormack, Dave Lehane, Lynchie, William Mac, Tommy Gould, the TOvember crew and the SV gaels. These lads never let me down when I get home for a trip.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

It’s hard to beat being home in Cork at Christmas time, meeting everyone, walking through town, the English Market, a few sociables and maybe even a game of Don.

Willie Mac has been sending me over the Holly Bough every year now, since I left home and it always brings a smile to my face when it lands in the door early in the New Year.

What is your ideal day if you were back in Cork for one day while living abroad?

Early tee time for a game of golf, head up to mam’s for a bit of grub and a cup of tea, stroll down the park to watch the Cork hurlers and finish up at a particular establishment on Blarney Street with the lads for the post mortems and a bit of slagging.