February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Frank Cull
The Emerald Society of the Federal Law Enforcement Agencies has become the first Emerald Society to go nationwide. The U.S. Customs Emerald Society and the FBI Emerald Society are alive and well, but both societies function in the tri-state area. It’s a sure bet that President Thomas Smart will be negotiating with Seamus Comiskey of Customs and Jim Abbott of the FBI, who also has a bagpipe band.
ESFLEA is a fraternal and ethnic organization incorporated under New York State Law as a non-profit entity. Its membership includes personnel from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense, the Federal Judicial System, and other departments and agencies, all on the federal level.
ESFLEA offers its members the opportunity to learn more about their Irish American heritage and to join with other federal personnel with common goals. Still a young organization, ESFLEA offers new members the chance to fully participate in the Society and to make significant contributions. ESFLEA also offers, when at least 20 members in a distinct geographical location request it, the provision for local chapters with their own Executive Board to be granted a charter under the auspices of the Brehon Council, under the capable leadership of chairman, Michael Haggerty.
The man behind the badge who is serving as president is Thomas Smart. Maura Bradshaw serves as secretary, while William Malone is treasurer. The Brehon Council, saddled with the responsibility of organizing, is headed by Chairman Michael Haggerty and a six-member Board. Board members include Agnes Black, Barney Ferguson, Patrick Kennedy, Doreen Murphy, Thomas Smart and John Wales.
ESFLEA had an observer in Portadown on the Garvaghy Road monitoring the Orange Order and the conduct and actions of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The Society is currently engaged in an all-out membership drive. It has waived the first-time application fee and for Irish Echo readers has extended the deadline. The Society can be reached by writing to ESFLEA, Post Office Box 576, Glen Oaks, NY 11004 or by calling (718) 229-4126.
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Msgr. Leonard on cardinal’s list
Grand Council of United Emerald Societies’ Chaplain Msgr. Thomas F. Leonard made the cardinal’s list of regional vicars. Msgr. Leonard’s territory is West Manhattan and includes his own parish of Holy Trinity, where he is pastor.
Msgr. Leonard was also the celebrant for Paul O’Dwyer’s funeral Mass at Holy Trinity Church. One of the co-celebrants for the funeral services was Rev. Mychal Judge, OFM, who serves as chaplain for the NYC Fire Department, its Emerald Society and its Bagpipe Band.
John Tansey’s troops from the NYC Police Department Emerald Society Bagpipe Band played at the final salute for one of New York City’s legendary Irish Americans.
Courts reelect Meaney
The Emerald Society of the Courts of New York State report that New York State Court Clerks Association President Martin L. Meaney and the majority of his incumbent slate have been reelected to new two-year terms. Meaney defeated his lone challenger, Wilfred Trotman, by a vote of 692-404. The Association represents Senior Court Clerks, Associate Court Clerks, Principal Court Clerks, and a variety of other titles in the state court system.
Swept into office with Marty Meaney were Brian Shanahan, Kevin Scanlon and Paul Galvin.
Beantown conference
The National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies has announced that its fall meeting will be hosted by the Boston Police Emerald Society from Nov. 6-8. The National Conference has 44 member societies and another dozen ready to come aboard.
Hartford mourns Larkin
Hartford, Conn., Firefighters Emerald Society were saddened by the passing of Lt. James Larkin, a labor official with the local firefighters’ union. He was the founder of the Irish Women’s Basketball Scholarship Exchange Program; the president of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement, Hartford Chapter; a member of the Irish American Home Society, Glastonbury; the Irish Northern Aid Society; the Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Knights of St. Patrick, and his beloved Emerald Society.
Devine outing a success
NYPD pipe notes have sounded the news that the first Finbar Devine Memorial Golf Outing was a tremendous success. The late drum major for the NYC Police Department Emerald Society Bagpipe Band was remembered as more than 200 golfers tore up the fairways at Jacob Reis Golf Course in the Rockaways. Sponsor for the event was McSorley’s Pub and McSorley’s Ale.
St. Francis honors Dunne
Dr. Frank Macchiarola, president of St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, honored Police Captain Joseph P. Dunne, a member of the NYPD Emerald Society, for his outstanding achievements as a dedicated public servant and a distinguished alumnus. Dunne was promoted to captain in 1989 and assigned to the 81st Precinct, where he served as executive officer until 1991, when he was appointed commanding officer. Currently, he is the commanding officer of the NYPD Housing Bureau.