Garda Síochána

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Garda Síochána
Shield of the Garda Síochána
Shield of the Garda Síochána
Common nameGardaí
MottoKeeping People Safe (Irish: Ag Coinneáil Daoine Slán)
Agency overview
Formed22 February 1922; 102 years ago (22 February 1922)[1]
Preceding agencies
Employees
  • 18,052 (total as of 2022)
  • 14,695 sworn members
  • 3,357 civilian staff
  • 401 reserves[2]
Annual budget€2.062 billion (2022)[3]
Legal personalityPolice force
Jurisdictional structure
National agencyIreland
Operations jurisdictionIreland
Garda Síochána area of jurisdiction in dark blue
Size70,273 km2
Population5,149,139 (2022)[4]
Constituting instrument
  • Garda Síochána Act 2005
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersGarda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin
Officers14,695 incl. 401 reserves (2022)[2]
Civilians3,357 (2022)[2]
Elected officer responsible
Agency executive
Regions
  • Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR)
  • North-Western
  • Eastern
  • Southern
Facilities
Stations564[6]
Vehicles2,815 (2017)[7]
BoatsGarda Water Unit
Aircraft
  • 2 helicopters
  • 1 fixed-wing surveillance aircraft
CaninesGarda Dog Unit
HorsesGarda Mounted Unit
Website
Official website Edit this at Wikidata

The Garda Síochána (Irish pronunciation: [ənˠ ˈɡaːɾˠd̪ˠə ˈʃiːxaːn̪ˠə] ; meaning "the Guardian(s) of the Peace") is the national police and security service of Ireland. It is more commonly referred to as the Gardaí (pronounced [ˈɡaːɾˠd̪ˠiː]; "Guardians") or "the Guards". The service is headed by the Garda Commissioner, who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

Since the formation of the Garda Síochána in 1923, it has been a predominantly unarmed force, and more than three quarters of the service do not routinely carry firearms.[8] As of 31 December 2019, the police service had 14,708 sworn members (including 458 sworn Reserve members) and 2,944 civilian staff.[2] Operationally, the Garda Síochána is organised into four geographical regions: the East, North/West, South and Dublin Metropolitan regions, in turn broken into divisions, districts and sub-districts.[5]

The service is the main law enforcement and security agency in the state, acting at local and national levels. Its roles include crime detection and prevention, drug enforcement, road traffic enforcement and accident investigation, diplomatic and witness protection responsibilities; it also provides a community policing service. Special units exist for specific areas of work such as organised crime prevention, migration management and cyber crime, and there is a central Garda technical bureau, a mounted unit and a canine unit. The service has its own college.

Members of the Garda Síochána are not free to join general trade unions but are represented by four rank-based organisations; there is also an association for retired members of the force.

Terminology[edit]

The service was originally named the Civic Guard in English,[9] but in 1923 it became the Garda Síochána in both English and Irish.[10][11] This title has been maintained in recent legislation.[12] This is usually translated as "the Guardians of the Peace".[13] Garda Síochána na hÉireann ("of Ireland", pronounced [ˈɡaːɾˠd̪ə ˈʃiːxaːn̪ˠə n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ]) appears on its logo but is seldom used elsewhere. At that time, there was a vogue for naming the new institutions of the Irish Free State after counterparts in the French Third Republic; the term "guardians of the peace" (gardiens de la paix, literally 'peacekeepers') had been used since 1870 in French-speaking countries to designate civilian police forces as distinguished from the armed gendarmery, notably municipal police in France, communal guards in Belgium[14] and cantonal police in Switzerland.[15]

The full official title of the police service is rarely used in speech. How it is referred to depends on the register being used. It is variously known as An Garda Síochána; the Garda Síochána; the Garda; the Gardaí (plural); and it is popularly called "the guards".[16] Although Garda is singular, in these terms it is used as a collective noun, like police.

An individual officer is called a garda (plural gardaí), or less formally, a "guard", and is typically addressed as such by members of the public when on duty.[17][18] A police station is called a garda station. Garda is also the name of the lowest rank within the force (e.g. "Garda John Murphy", analogous to the British term "constable" or the American "officer", "deputy", "trooper", etc.). A female officer was once officially referred to as a bangharda (pronounced [ˈbˠanˠˌɣaːɾˠd̪ˠə]; "female guard"; plural banghardaí). This term was abolished in 1990,[19] but is still used colloquially in place of the gender-neutral garda.[18]

Colloquially, as a slang or derogatory term, they are sometimes referred to in certain areas of Ireland as "the shades".[20][21]

Organisation[edit]

The service, which is operationally independent of the Government, Department of Justice and the Policing Authority, is headed by the Garda Commissioner, whose immediate subordinates are two deputy commissioners – in charge of "Policing and Security" and "Governance & Strategy", respectively – and a Chief Administrative Officer with responsibility for resource management (personnel, finance, Information and Communications Technology, and accommodation). A few functions, including the Office of Corporate Communications and the Internal Audit Section, report directly to the Commissioner's Office. There is an assistant commissioner for each of the four geographical regions, along with a number dealing with other national support functions. The four geographical Garda regions, each overseen by an assistant commissioner, are:[5]

  1. Dublin Metropolitan Region
  2. North-Western
  3. Eastern
  4. Southern

At an equivalent or near-equivalent level to the assistant commissioners are such figures as the Chief Medical Officer, and the civilian executive directors, heading Information and Communications Technology, Finance and Services, Strategy and Transformation, Legal, and Human Resources and People Development.

Directly subordinate to the assistant commissioners are approximately 40 chief superintendents, about half of whom supervise what are called divisions. Each division contains a number of districts, each commanded by a superintendent assisted by a team of inspectors. Each district contains a number of sub-districts, which are usually commanded by sergeants.

Typically each subdistrict contains only one Garda station. A different number of Gardaí are based at each station depending on its importance. Most of these stations employ the basic rank of Garda, which was referred to as the rank of Guard until 1972. The most junior members of the service are students, whose duties can vary depending on their training progress. They are often assigned clerical duties as part of their extracurricular studies.

The Garda organisation also has more than 3,000 civilian support staff (not sworn police officers).[22] working across a range of areas such as human resources, occupational health services, finance and procurement, internal audit, IT and telecommunications, accommodation and fleet management, as well as aspects of scene-of-crime support, research and analysis, training and general administration. The figure also includes industrial staff such as traffic wardens, drivers and cleaners.

Structure and numbers[edit]

Rank Irish name Number of members at rank
2014[23] 2016[22] 2021[24] 2023[25]
Commissioner Coimisinéir 1 1 1 1
Deputy Commissioner Leas-Choimisinéir 0 2 2 2
Assistant Commissioner Cúntóir-Choimisinéir 8 5 8 8
Chief Superintendent Ard-Cheannfort 41 42 47 47
Superintendent Ceannfort 140 160 165 168
Inspector Cigire 300 247 425 468
Sergeant Sáirsint 1,946 1,835 1,944 2,065
Garda Garda 10,459 10,696 11,870 11,151
Total (sworn members) Iomlán 12,895 12,988 14,462 13,910
Reserve Garda Garda Ionaid 1,112 627 459 363
Level Number of staff at level
2023[25]
CAO, CMO, Exec. Directors and Directors 8
Managerial (PO, AP, HEO) 326
Admin. (AO, EO) 798
Clerical officers 1,835
Total administrative 2,967
Other professional 49
Industrial and other 326
Total non-member staff 3,342

As of September 2023, the organisation is structured as follows:[26]

Garda Reserve[edit]

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provided for the establishment of a Garda Reserve to assist the force in performing its functions, and supplement the work of members of the Garda Síochána. The intent of the Garda Reserve is "to be a source of local strength and knowledge". Reserve members are to carry out duties defined by the Garda Commissioner and sanctioned by the Minister for Justice. With limited training of 128 hours, these duties and powers must be executed under the supervision of regular members of the Service; they are also limited with respect to those of regular members.

The first batch of 36 Reserve Gardaí graduated on 15 December 2006 at the Garda College, in Templemore.[27] Having reached a strength of over 1,100 in 2014, as of October 2016, there were 789 Garda Reserve members, with further training scheduled for 2017,[28] however numbers have fallen since then, to under 460 as of 2021,[24] and under 400 by 2023.[25]

Rank structure[edit]

Ranks of the Garda Síochána
Rank Commissioner Deputy
commissioner
Assistant
commissioner
Surgeon Chief
superintendent
Superintendent Inspector Sergeant Garda Garda reserve Student Student reserve
Irish name Coimisinéir Leas
Choimisinéir
Cúntóir-
Choimisinéir
Máinlia Ard-Cheannfort Ceannfort Cigire Sáirsint Garda Ionaid Mac Léinn Gharda Mac Léinn Ionaid
Max number[29] 1 3 12 1[note 1] 53 191 390 2,460 12,500
Number as of end 2022[31] 1 2 8 0 46 168 466 2,074 11,411
Insignia[32] Rank insignia of Garda Commissioner Rank insignia of Garda Deputy Commissioner Rank insignia of Garda Assistant Commissioner Rank Insignia of Garda Chief Superindendent Rank insignia of Garda Superintendent Rank insignia of Garda Inspector

A garda allocated to detective duties, up to and including the rank of chief superintendent, is a detective and the word detective (Irish: Bleachtaire) is prefixed to their rank (e.g. detective sergeant, bleachtaire sáirsint). The detective moniker is not a rank but rather a role identification, a detective Garda and a Garda are the same rank.[33][34][35] As of 31 December 2022, 2,401 Gardaí were on Detective duty, about one-sixth of the total.[36]

Uniform and equipment[edit]

A group of Gardaí in uniform

Uniform[edit]

In 2022, the fourth iteration of the Garda uniform was launched. It dispensed with formal shirts and ties, substituting a "sky blue" polo shirt, worn with loose-fitting "operational trousers", and a yellow-and-dark-navy waterproof jacket. A tie is available for formal occasions, and the Garda hat from previous versions of the uniform is retained. Alternative head and other coverings, such as the turban, kippah and hijab, are provided for. The uniform was for force members of the ranks of Garda, sergeant and inspector, with no change for those of superintendent rank or above.[37] The original Garda uniform featured a high "night helmet" and cape, as was then used in the UK. There were changes to colouration of both fabric and buttons in 1987.[37]

Equipment[edit]

Most uniformed members of the Garda Síochána do not routinely carry firearms. Individual gardaí have been issued ASP extendable batons and pepper spray as their standard issue weapons while handcuffs are provided as restraints.[38]

A member of the Garda Síochána with motorcycle

The service, when originally created, was armed, but the Provisional Government reversed the decision and reconstituted the service as an unarmed police service. This was in contrast to the attitude of the British Dublin Castle administration, which refused appeals from the Royal Irish Constabulary that the service be disarmed.[39] In the words of first Commissioner, Michael Staines, TD, "the Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people." This reflected the approach in the Dublin Metropolitan Police, which had also been unarmed, but did not extend to the CID detective branch, who were armed from the outset.

According to Tom Garvin such a decision gave the new force a cultural ace: "the taboo on killing unarmed men and women who could not reasonably be seen as spies and informers."[39]

Armed Gardaí[edit]

Garda Síochána Emergency Response Unit armed with an UZI submachine gun in Dublin, 2006

The Garda Síochána is primarily an unarmed force; however, detectives and certain units such as the regional Armed Support Units (ASU) and the national Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are commissioned to carry firearms and do so. A website managed by the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa notes that there are "no specific legal provisions on use of firearms by the Gardaí, which is predominantly an unarmed police service. Instead, the law provides an exemption from licensing requirements under the various Firearms Acts for a member of the Garda Síochána when on duty". [40]

The armed officers serve as a support to regular Gardaí. Armed units were established in response to a rise in the number of armed incidents dealt with by regular members.[41] To be issued with a firearm, or to carry a firearm whilst on duty, a member must be in possession of a valid gun card, and cannot wear a regular uniform.

Armed Gardaí carry Sig Sauer P226 and Walther P99C semi-automatic pistols. In addition to issued pistols, less-lethal weapons such as tasers and large pepper spray canisters are carried also by the ERU.[42]

In December 2018, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan provided updated specifics.[43]

"Training is provided by Firearms Instructors attached to the Garda College and the Emergency Response Unit under the control of the Director of Training, Garda College. ... there are approximately 2700 personnel that are currently authorised to carry firearms. This can increase to approx. 3500 depending on operational requirements. ... Members attached to regular units and Detective units are trained in handguns only, namely Smith & Wesson revolver, Sig Sauer & Walther semi-automatic pistol. Specialist Units such as Emergency Response Unit and the Armed Support Unit are trained in Sig Pistol, H&K MP7 Sub-machine gun, Taser and 40mm direct impact munitions (Less Lethal options)".

In early April 2019, the Garda Representative Association called for 24-hour armed support units in every division across Ireland. In response, Minister Flanagan noted that "gardaí have had armed support for a long number of years. One of the great attributes of the [Garda Síochána], is the fact that it is in the main an unarmed police service. I think that's good and I would be concerned at attempts to ensure that the arming of the gardaí becomes commonplace." He did not support the GRA demands on a country-wide basis: "I think there is merit in ensuring that at a regional level, there can be an armed response should the circumstances warrant. And I'm thinking particularly in Drogheda where currently we have an armed support unit on the street in order to meet head-on what is a particularly nasty challenge."[44]

Vehicles[edit]

Garda Traffic Corps car
The two helicopters of the Garda Air Support Unit

Garda patrol cars are white in colour, with a fluorescent yellow and blue-bordered horizontal strip, accompanied by the Garda crest as livery. Full or partial battenburg markings are used on traffic or roads policing vehicles. RSU/ASU vehicles also have Battenburg markings - as well as a red stripe denoting the fact that it is an armed unit. Unmarked patrol cars are also used in the course of regular, traffic and other duties. Specialist units, such as the ERU, use armoured vehicles for special operations.

The Garda Fleet management Section manages the vehicles, totalling approximately 2,750 in 2019, which are located in the various Garda Divisions and specialist units.[45]

Governance and oversight[edit]

Lamp with GS monogram in Gaelic type, Westmanstown Sports and Conference Centre

Policing Authority[edit]

In the first week of November 2014, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald obtained the approval of the Irish Cabinet for the General Scheme[46] of the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2014, intended to create a new independent policing authority, in what she described as the 'most far-reaching reform’ of the Garda Síochána since the State was founded in 1922.[47] The draft bill proposed that state security would remain the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and outside the remit of the new authority.[48] The first chairperson-designate of the new authority was the outgoing Revenue Commissioners chairperson Josephine Feehily.[49]

Garda Inspectorate[edit]

In accordance with Section 115 of the Garda Síochána Act, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate consists of three members who are appointed by the Irish Government. The functions of the Inspectorate, inter alia, are as follows:

  • Carry out, at the request or with the consent of the Minister, inspections or inquiries in relation to any particular aspects of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána,
  • Submit to the Minister (1) a report on those inspections or inquiries, and (2) if required by the Minister, a report on the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána during a specified period and on any significant developments in that regard during that period, and any such reports must contain recommendations for any action the Inspectorate considers necessary.
  • provide advice to the Minister with regard to best-policing practice.

The first Chief Inspector (since July 2006), was former Commissioner of Boston Police, Kathleen M. O'Toole. She reported directly to the Minister for Justice.

From 2006 to 2009, O'Toole was supported by two other inspectors, Robert Olsen and Gwen M. Boniface. Olsen was Chief of Police for 8 years of the Minneapolis Police Department. Boniface is a former Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and was one of 3 female police commissioners in Canada when appointed in May 1998. She suggested that rank and file Gardaí were not equipped to perform their duties or protect themselves properly. She also suggested that routine arming may become a reality but dismissed the suggestion that this was currently being considered.

In 2012, O'Toole was succeeded by Robert K. Olson.[50]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission[edit]

Over 2000 complaints were made against the organisation in 2009,[51] with a similar number of complaints by 2017.[52] The Garda Commissioner referred over 100 incidents where the conduct of a garda resulted in death or serious injury to the Ombudsman for investigation. Also newly instrumented, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (referred to colloquially as the Garda Ombudsman or simply abbreviated to GSOC) replaces the earlier system of complaints (the Garda Síochána Complaints Board). Becoming fully operational on 9 May 2007, the commission is empowered to:

  • Directly and independently investigate complaints against members of the Garda Síochána
  • Investigate any matter, even where no complaint has been made, where it appears that a Garda may have committed an offence or behaved in a way that justified disciplinary proceedings
  • Investigate any practice, policy or procedure of the Garda Síochána with a view to reducing the incidence of related complaints

The commission's first chairman was Kevin Haugh (a High Court Judge) who died in early 2009, shortly before his term of office was to conclude.[53]

Diplomatic protection[edit]

The Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU) are primarily responsible for providing armed close protection to senior officials in Ireland.[54] They provide full-time armed protection and transport for the President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Justice, Attorney General, Chief Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions, Ambassadors and Diplomats deemed 'at risk', as well as foreign dignitaries visiting Ireland and citizens deemed to require armed protection as designated so by the Garda Commissioner.[55] The Commissioner is also protected by the unit. All cabinet ministers are afforded armed protection at heightened levels of risk when deemed necessary by Garda Intelligence,[56] and their places of work and residences are monitored.[57] Former Presidents and Taoisigh are protected if their security is under threat, otherwise they only receive protection on formal state occasions.[58] The Emergency Response Unit (ERU), a section of the SDU, are deployed on more than 100 VIP protection duties per year.[59]

History[edit]

Officers' Mess, Garda HQ
New Garda recruits salute the President of Ireland, An Tóstal, 1954

Prior to the creation of the Irish Free State, policing in Ireland had been undertaken by the quasi-military Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), with a separate and unarmed Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP). These were joined in 1919 by a parallel security force loyal to the provisional government, the Irish Republican Police. The early years of the new state saw a gradual process of incorporating these various pre-existing forces into a single centralised, nationwide and civilian organisation.

The Civic Guard was formed by the Provisional Government in February 1922 to take over the responsibility of policing the fledgeling Irish Free State. It replaced the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Irish Republican Police of 1919–22. In August 1922 the force accompanied Michael Collins when he met the Lord Lieutenant in Dublin Castle.[60]

Garda Traffic Corps in Dublin

The Garda Síochána (Temporary Provisions) Act 1923 enacted after the creation of the Irish Free State on 8 August 1923,[61] provided for the creation of "a force of police to be called and known as 'The Garda Síochána'".[62] Under section 22, The Civic Guard were deemed to have been established under and to be governed by the Act. The law therefore effectively renamed the existing force.

The seven-week Civic Guard Mutiny began in May 1922, when Garda recruits took over the Kildare Depot. It resulted in Michael Staines' resignation in September.

During the Civil War of 1922–23, the new Free State set up the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as an armed, plain-clothed counter-insurgency unit. It was disbanded after the end of the war in October 1923 and elements of it were absorbed into the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Garda directing traffic in Dublin in 1963

In Dublin, policing remained the responsibility of the Dublin Metropolitan Police (founded 1836) until it merged with the Garda Síochána in 1925. Since then, the Garda has been the only civil police service in the state now known as Ireland. Other police forces with limited powers are the Military Police within the Irish Defence Forces, the Airport Police Service, and Dublin Harbour Police and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Police forces.

R.I.C. Barracks near the Depot headquarters, Phoenix Park, c.1865-1914

The headquarters, the Phoenix Park Depot in Dublin, consists of a series of buildings; the first of these were occupied in 1839 by the new Constabulary. Over subsequent years, additional buildings were added, including a riding school, chapel, infirmary and cavalry barracks; all are now used for other purposes. The new Garda Síochána started to occupy the Depot in early 1923. The facility also included a training centre but that was moved to McCan Barracks, Templemore, County Tipperary in the 1960s; it is now the Garda Síochána College.[63]

Scott Medal[edit]

First awarded in 1923, the Scott Medal for Bravery is the highest honour for bravery and valour awarded to a member of the Garda Síochána.[64] The first medals were funded by Colonel Walter Scott, an honorary Commissioner of the New York Police Department.[64] The first recipient of the Scott Medal was Garda James Mulroy.[65] Other notable recipients include Garda Patrick Malone of St. Luke's in Cork City who – as an unarmed Garda – disarmed Tomás Óg Mac Curtain (the son of Tomás Mac Curtain).

To mark the United States link, the American English spelling of valor is used on the medal. The Garda Commissioner chooses the recipients of the medal, which is presented by the Minister for Justice.

In 2000, Anne McCabe – the widow of Jerry McCabe, a garda who was killed by armed Provisional IRA bank robbers – accepted the Scott Medal for Bravery that had been awarded posthumously to her husband.[66]

The Irish Republican Police had at least one member killed by the RIC on 21 July 1920. The Civic Guard had one killed by accident 22 September 1922 and another was killed in March 1923 by Frank Teeling. Likewise 4 members of the Oriel House Criminal Investigation Department were killed or died of wounds during the Irish Civil War.[67] The Garda Roll of Honor lists 89 Garda members killed between 1922 and 2020.

Garda Commissioners[edit]

Garda Commissioners
Name From Until Reason
Michael Staines February 1922 September 1922 resigned[a]
Eoin O'Duffy September 1922 February 1933 dismissed[b]
Eamon Broy February 1933 June 1938 retired
Michael Kinnane June 1938 July 1952 died
Daniel Costigan July 1952 February 1965 resigned[c]
William P Quinn February 1965 March 1967 retired
Patrick Carroll March 1967 September 1968 retired
Michael Wymes September 1968 January 1973 retired
Patrick Malone January 1973 September 1975 retired
Edmund Garvey September 1975 January 1978 replaced[d]
Patrick McLaughlin January 1978 January 1983 retired[e]
Lawrence Wren February 1983 November 1987 retired
Eamonn Doherty November 1987 December 1988 retired
Eugene Crowley December 1988 January 1991 retired
Patrick Culligan January 1991 July 1996 retired
Patrick Byrne July 1996 July 2003 retired
Noel Conroy July 2003 November 2007 retired
Fachtna Murphy November 2007 December 2010 retired
Martin Callinan December 2010 March 2014 resigned[68][69]

[f]

Nóirín O'Sullivan March 2014(acting)
November 2014 (permanent)[70]
September 2017 retired[71][g]
Dónall Ó Cualáin September 2017 (acting) September 2018 permanent appointment made
Drew Harris September 2018 - 5-year term extended to 7

The first Commissioner, Michael Staines, who was a Pro-Treaty member of Dáil Éireann, held office for only eight months. It was his successors, Eoin O'Duffy and Éamon Broy, who played a central role in the development of the service. O'Duffy was Commissioner in the early years of the service when to many people's surprise the viability of an unarmed police service was established. O'Duffy later became a short-lived political leader of the quasi-fascist Blueshirts before heading to Spain to fight alongside Francisco Franco's Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. Broy had greatly assisted the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the Anglo-Irish War, while serving with the Dublin Metropolitan Police. Broy was depicted in the film Michael Collins as having been arrested and killed by SIS agents during the Irish War of Independence, when in reality he lived till 1972 and headed the Garda Síochána from 1933 to 1938. Broy was followed by Commissioners Michael Kinnane (1938–52) and Daniel Costigan (1952–65). The first Commissioner to rise from the rank of ordinary Garda was William P. Quinn, who was appointed in February 1965.

One later Commissioner, Edmund Garvey, was sacked by the Fianna Fáil government of Jack Lynch in 1978 after it had lost confidence in him. Garvey won "unfair dismissal" legal proceedings against the government, which was upheld in the Irish Supreme Court.[72] This outcome required the passing of the Garda Síochána Act 1979 to retrospectively validate the actions of Garvey's successor since he had become Commissioner.[73] Garvey's successor, Patrick McLaughlin, was forced to resign along with his deputy in 1983 over his peripheral involvement in a political scandal.

On 25 November 2014 Nóirín O'Sullivan was appointed as Garda Commissioner, after acting as interim Commissioner since March 2014, following the unexpected retirement of Martin Callinan. It was noted that as a result most top justice posts in Ireland at the time were held by women.[74] The first female to hold the top rank, Commissioner O'Sullivan joined the force in 1981 and was among the first members of a plainclothes unit set up to tackle drug dealing in Dublin.

On 10 September 2017 Nóirín O'Sullivan announced her retirement from the force and, by extension, Garda Commissioner. Upon her retirement, Deputy Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin was appointed Acting Commissioner pending a permanent replacement.[75] In June 2018, Drew Harris was named as this replacement, and officially appointed in September 2018 following Ó Cualáin's retirement.[76][77][78]

Past reserve forces[edit]

During the Second World War (often referred to in Ireland as "the Emergency") there were two reserve forces to the Garda Síochána, An Taca Síochána and the Local Security Force.[79]

An Taca Síochána had the power of arrest and wore a uniform, and were allowed to leave the reserve or sign-up as full members of the Garda Síochána at the end of the war before the reserve was disbanded. The reserve was established by the Emergency Powers (Temporary Special Police Force) Order 1939.

The Local Security Force (LSF) did not have the power of arrest, and part of the reserve was soon incorporated into the Irish Army Reserve under the command of the Irish Army.[80]

Inter-jurisdiction co-operation[edit]

Northern Ireland[edit]

The Patten Report recommended that a programme of long-term personnel exchanges should be established between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). This recommendation was enacted in 2002 by an Inter-Governmental Agreement on Policing Cooperation, which set the basis for the exchange of officers between the two services. There are three levels of exchanges:

  • Personnel exchanges, for all ranks, without policing powers and for a term up to one year
  • Secondments: for ranks Sergeant to Chief Superintendent, with policing powers, for up to three years
  • Lateral entry by the permanent transfer of officers for ranks above Inspector and under Assistant Commissioner

The protocols for these movements of personnel were signed by both the Chief Constable of the PSNI and the Garda Commissioner on 21 February 2005.[81]

Garda officers also co-operate with members of the PSNI to combat cross-border crime and can conduct joint raids on both jurisdictions. They have also accompanied politicians and officials from the Republic, such as the President, on visits to Northern Ireland.

Other jurisdictions[edit]

Since 1989, the Garda Síochána has undertaken United Nations peace-keeping duties.[82] Its first such mission was a 50 strong contingent sent to Namibia. Since then the force has acted in Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique, South Africa, and the former Yugoslavia. More recently, Garda members have served in Cyprus with UNFICYP, and in Kosovo with EULEX Kosovo.[82] The force's first fatality whilst working abroad was Sergeant Paul M. Reid, who was fatally injured while on duty with the United Nations UNPROFOR at "Sniper's Alley" in Sarajevo on 18 May 1995.[83]

Members of the Garda Síochána also serve in the Embassies of Ireland in London, The Hague, Madrid and Paris. Members are also seconded to Europol in The Hague, in the Netherlands and Interpol in Lyon, France. There are also many members working directly for UN and European agencies such as the War Crimes Tribunal.

Under an agreement with the British Government and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Garda Síochána and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland are allowed to inspect the Sellafield nuclear facility in Cumbria, England.[84]

Controversy and allegations involving the police service[edit]

The Gardaí have faced complaints or allegations of discourtesy, harassment and perjury.[85] A total of 1,173 complaints were made against the Gardaí in 2005,[86] with over 2000 complaints made in 2017.[52]

Some such incidents have attracted broad attention and resulted in a number of reform initiatives—such as those relating to Garda whistleblowers or which led to the Morris and Barr Tribunals.[87]

Mishandling of cases and complaints[edit]

The Kerry Babies case was one of the first public inquiries into the mishandling of a Garda investigation. Later, in the 1980s, the Ferns Report (an inquiry into allegations of clerical sexual abuse) described as "wholly inadequate" the handling of one of eight formal complaints made to Wexford gardaí, but noted that the remaining formal complaints were handled in an "effective, professional and sensitive" manner.[88]

The Gardaí were also criticised in the Murphy Report[89] in relation to the handing over of the case of Fr. Paul McGennis to Archbishop McQuaid by Commissioner Costigan.[90] Some very senior Gardaí were criticised for regarding priests as being outside their remit in 1960.[91] On 26 November 2009, then Commissioner Fachtna Murphy apologised for the failure of the Garda Síochána to protect victims of child abuse,[92] saying that inappropriate contact between gardaí and the Dublin Archdiocese had taken place at the time,[92] and later announced an examination into the report's findings.[93]

The Gardaí were criticised by the commission of investigation into the Dean Lyons case for their handling of the investigation into the Grangegorman killings. In his report, George Birmingham said that the Gardaí had used leading questions in their interviews with Lyons, and had failed to act on a suspicion that Lyons' confession was unreliable. For a period, the gardaí involved in the case failed to act on the knowledge that another man, Mark Nash, had confessed to the crime.[94]

Allegations resulting in Tribunals of Inquiry[edit]

In the 1990s and early 2000s the Garda Síochána faced allegations of corrupt and dishonest policing in County Donegal. This became the subject of a Garda inquiry (the Carty inquiry) and subsequent judicial inquiry (the Morris Tribunal). The Morris Tribunal found that some gardaí based in County Donegal had invented a Provisional IRA informer, made bombs and claimed credit for locating them, and attempted to frame Raphoe publican Frank McBrearty Junior for murder – the latter case involving a €1.5m settlement with the State.[95] A similar case saw a €4.5m judgement,[96] after another Donegal publican was wrongly convicted based on "perjured Garda evidence" and "a conspiracy to concoct false evidence" by the same Donegal-based gardaí.[97][98][99]

On 20 April 2000, members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU) shot dead 27-year-old John Carthy at the end of a 25-hour siege as he left his home in Abbeylara, County Longford with a loaded shotgun in his hands. There were allegations made of inappropriate handling of the situation and of the reliance on lethal force by the Gardaí. This led to a Garda inquiry, and subsequently, the Barr Tribunal. The official findings of the tribunal of inquiry, under Justice Robert Barr, were that the responsible sergeant had made 14 mistakes in his role as the negotiator during the siege, and failed to make real efforts to achieve resolution during the armed stand-off. It further stated however that the sergeant was limited by lack of experience and resources, and recommended a review of Garda command structures, and that the ERU be equipped with stun guns and other non-lethal options. The Barr tribunal further recommended a formal working arrangement between Gardaí and state psychologists, and improvements in Garda training.

During the mid-2010s, the Garda whistleblower scandal led to a tribunal of enquiry, and the resignations of two ministers for justice and two Garda commissioners.[100]

Allegations involving abuse of powers[edit]

One of the first charges of serious impropriety against the force rose out of the handling of the Sallins Train Robbery in 1976. This case eventually led to accusations that a "Heavy Gang" within the force intimidated and tortured the accused. This eventually led to a Presidential pardon for one of the accused.

In 2004, an RTÉ Prime Time documentary accused elements within the Garda of abusing their powers by physically assaulting people arrested. A retired Circuit Court judge (W. A. Murphy) suggested that some members of the force had committed perjury in criminal trials before him but later stated that he was misquoted, while Minister of State Dick Roche, accused Gardaí in one instance of "torture". The Garda Commissioner accused the television programme of lacking balance. The documentary followed the publication of footage by the Independent Media Centre showing scuffles between Gardaí and Reclaim the Streets demonstrators.[101] One Garda in the footage was later convicted of common assault, while several other Gardaí were acquitted.

In 2014, a debate arose relating to alleged abuse of process in cancelling penalty points (for traffic offences), and a subsequent controversy resulted in a number of resignations.[102]

In 2017, Dara Quigley, who lived with mental illness, was arrested for public nudity, an incident captured on CCTV. A Garda member went to the police station CCTV control room and recorded the incident on a phone, then shared it to a WhatsApp group including other Gardaí. The video was quickly shared to Facebook and went viral. Quigley took her own life several days later. The Garda, who recorded and shared the video, was not charged with a crime.[103]

Allegations involving cross-border policing and collusion with the IRA[edit]

The former head of intelligence of the Provisional IRA, Kieran Conway claimed that in 1974 the IRA were tipped off by "high-placed figures" within the Gardaí about a planned RUC Special Branch raid, which was intended to capture members of the IRA command. Asked if this was just a one-off example of individual Gardaí colluding with the IRA, Conway claimed: "It wasn't just in 1974 and it wasn't just concentrated in border areas like Dundalk, it was some individuals but it was more widespread."[104]

Following a recommendation from the Cory Collusion Inquiry, the Smithwick Tribunal investigated allegations of collusion following the 1989 killing of two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers by the Provisional IRA as they returned from a meeting with the Gardaí. The tribunal's report was published in December 2013,[105][106] and noted that, although there was no "smoking gun", Judge Smithwick was "satisfied there was collusion in the murders" and that "evidence points to the fact that there was someone within the Garda station assisting the IRA". The report was also critical of two earlier Garda investigations into the murders, which it described as "inadequate". Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter apologised "without reservation" for the failings identified in the report.[107][108]

The family of Eddie Fullerton, a Buncrana Sinn Féin councillor killed in 1991 by members of the Ulster Defence Association, criticised the subsequent Garda investigation,[109][110] and in 2006, the Minister for Justice considered a public inquiry into the case.[111]

Operational management and finances[edit]

Gardaí at the site of the proposed Corrib gas refinery in Erris, County Mayo

Protests at the proposed Royal Dutch Shell Corrib gas refinery near Erris, County Mayo saw large Garda operations with up to 200 Gardaí involved.[112] By September 2008, the cost of the operation was €10 million, and by January 2009 estimated to have cost €13.5 million.[113] Some outlets compared this to the €20 million budgeted for operations targeting organised crime.[114] A section of road used by the protesters was allegedly dubbed "the Golden Mile" by Gardaí because of overtime opportunities.[115] Complaints were also made about Garda management and handling of the protests.[116][117]

In 2017, a number of reported operational issues (including handling of the Garda whistleblower scandal, falsified alcohol breath tests, and the finances of the Garda Training College) were referenced as contributors to the early retirement of then commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan.[118][119]

Reform initiatives[edit]

Blanchardstown Garda Station

Arising from some of the above incidents, the Garda Síochána underwent a number of reform initiatives in the early 21st century. The Morris Tribunal, in particular, recommended major changes to the organisation's management, discipline, promotion and accountability arrangements. Many of these recommendations were subsequently implemented under the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

The Tribunal has been staggered by the amount of indiscipline and insubordination it has found in the Garda force. There is a small, but disproportionately influential, core of mischief-making members who will not obey orders, who will not follow procedures, who will not tell the truth and who have no respect for their officers

— Justice Frederick Morris, Chairman and Sole Member of The Morris Tribunal, [120]

It was also stated by the tribunal chairman, Justice Morris, that the code of discipline was extremely complex and, at times, "cynically manipulated" to promote indiscipline across the force. Judicial reviews, for example, were cited as a means for delaying disciplinary action.

The fall-out from the Morris Tribunal was considerable. While fifteen members of the force were sacked between 2001 and 2006, and a further 42 resigned in lieu of dismissal in the same period, Commissioner Conroy stated that he was constrained in the responses available to deal with members whose misbehaviour is cited in public inquiries.[121]

Updated procedures and code of discipline[edit]

Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin pictured in 2005

With support from opposition parties, and reflecting broad political consensus, the Minister for Justice responded to many of these issues by announcing a new draft code of discipline on 17 August 2006. The new streamlined code[122] introduced new procedures to enable the Commissioner to summarily dismiss a Garda alleged to have brought the force into disrepute, abandoned duties, compromised the security of the State or unjustifiably infringed the rights of other persons.

In addition, a four-member "non-officer management advisory team" was appointed in August 2006 to advise on implementing change options and addressing management and leadership challenges facing the Gardaí. The advisers were also mandated to promote a culture of performance management, succession planning, recruitment of non-officers with specialist expertise, and improved training.[citation needed]

Enhanced non-officer support[edit]

Clerical and administrative support was updated such that, in the two-year period from December 2006 to December 2008 whole-time equivalent, non-officer staffing levels were increased by over 60%, from under 1,300 to approximately 2,100. This was in support of a policy to release more desk-bound Gardaí for operational duties and to bring the level of general support in line with international norms. A tier of middle and senior non-officer management was also introduced in administrative and technical/professional support areas. A Chief Administrative Officer at Deputy Commissioner level was appointed in October 2007 to oversee several of these support functions.[citation needed]

Enhanced oversight[edit]

The Garda Inspectorate, Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and Policing Authority were introduced, as part of the reform process, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015.[123][124]

Public attitudes to the Garda Síochána[edit]

The Garda Public Attitudes Survey 2017 found that 74% of respondents were satisfied with the Gardaí,[125] down from 81% in the 2008 survey.[126]

The 2017 survey (taken before revelations of false breath tests, wrongful convictions and the departure of the then commissioner)[127] also found that less than half of respondents believed that the Gardaí was a well managed or world-class police service.[125]

Labour disputes[edit]

Industrial action (including work-to-rule and withdrawal of labour) was threatened by Gardaí during 2016, arising out of a dispute on pay and conditions.[128]

Linguistic capabilities and diversity[edit]

In 2015, it was reported that the Garda had no active officers who are proficient in Arabic, forcing them to rely on assistance on Interpol.[129] There are calls to recruit Arabic-speaking recruits, especially those from the Irish Muslim community.[129]

In 2019, the European Network Against Racism Ireland submitted a paper calling for the Garda's Garda Racial, Intercultural, and Diversity Office to be disbanded and replaced with a specialist unit due to its limited manpower and resources to tackle hate crime cases.[130]

Garda Band[edit]

The Garda Band is a public relations branch of the Garda Síochána, and was formed shortly after the foundation of the force. It gave its first public performance on Dún Laoghaire Pier on Easter Monday 1923, and its first Bandmaster was Superintendent D.J. Delaney.[131] In 1938, the Dublin Metropolitan Garda Band (based at Kevin Street) and the Garda Band amalgamated and were based at Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park.[131]

Besides providing music for official Garda functions (such as graduation ceremonies at the Garda College) the band also performs at schools, festivals and sporting events.[132][133][134]

Members of the band, none of whom are involved in policing duties, were paid an average of €58,985 in 2017.[135][136]

Representation[edit]

There are four legally-recognised bodies defined by regulation, each working with specific ranks of Garda:

There is also the Garda Retired Members Association (GRMA), previously the Garda Pensioners Association.

Other associated bodies[edit]

Members of the Garda Síochána have their own credit unions and a medical insurance society,[137] as well as a benevolent society for members and former members in need.[138] The organisation has a wide range of clubs and societies, with a coordinating structure, the Coiste Siamsa, for sporting groups.[139]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Due to Civic Guard Mutiny
  2. ^ Dismissed for encouraging a military coup
  3. ^ Pressured to resign by the Government.
  4. ^ Lost government confidence
  5. ^ phone tapping scandal
  6. ^ Penalty points controversy
  7. ^ whistleblower scandal & breath test scandal
  1. ^ The rank has been unused since 1994. A civilian Chief Medical Officer has fulfilled the role since 2000.[30]

References[edit]

  1. ^ McNiffe, Liam (1997). A History of the Garda Síochána. Dublin: Wolfhound Press. p. 11. ISBN 0863275818. The Provisional Government of the Irish Free State set up a committee to organise a new police force. The committee first met in the Gresham Hotel, Dublin, on Thursday, 9 February 1922 ... The first recruit was officially attested on 21 February 1922 and he had been joined by ninety-eight others by the end of that month
  2. ^ a b c d "Managing our people". Garda Síochána. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Part 2 Expenditure allocations" (PDF). Budget 2022. Department of Finance. p. 85. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Irish Population as of 2022". 30 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Organisational structure". Garda.ie. Garda Síochána. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  6. ^ "The reasons for the selection of Garda Stations to be closed". Dept of Justice and Equality. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Department of Justice and Equality | Garda Transport Data". Oireachtas. 2 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Uniformed gardaí will remain unarmed - Commissioner". Irish Times. 29 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2017. [The Commissioner] told delegates there were 3,500 armed members - almost a quarter of the force – and that his focus was on giving them the best training.
  9. ^ Dolan, Terence Patrick (2004). A Dictionary of Hiberno English: the Irish use of English. Gill & Macmillan Ltd. p. 103. ISBN 0-7171-3535-7. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  10. ^ Gárda Síochána (Temporary Provisions) Act 1923, s. 2: Power to Executive Council to raise Gárda Síochána (No. 37 of 1923, s. 2). Enacted on 8 August 1923. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  11. ^ The Garda Síochána Act 1924, s. 1: Power to Executive Council to maintain Gárda Síochána (No. 25 of 1924, s. 1). Enacted on 17 July 1924. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  12. ^ Garda Síochána Act 2005, s. 6: Continuation of Garda Síochána (No. 20 of 2005, s. 6). Enacted on 10 July 2005. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  13. ^ "Short History of An Garda Siochana". Garda Síochána. Archived from the original on 1 September 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2006. the Garda Síochána (meaning in English: 'The Guardians of the Peace')
  14. ^ "Gardiens de la paix". Police Comines-Warneton (in French). Retrieved 5 October 2019.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ Christian Chevandier, Policiers dans la ville. Une histoire des gardiens de la paix, Paris, Gallimard, 2012
  16. ^ Frank A. Biletz (2013). Historical Dictionary of Ireland. Historical Dictionaries of Europe. Scarecrow Press. p. 162. ISBN 9780810870918. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2014. Garda Siochana (Guardians of the Peace). The national Police force of the Irish Republic. ... In 1925, the force was renamed the Garda Síochána na hÉireann ("Guard of the Peace of Ireland") ... Popularly called "the guards", the force is divided into six geographical regions: ...
  17. ^ Elizabeth Albertson (2009). Ireland For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 455. ISBN 9780470465080. a law enforcement officer is called a garda or guard
  18. ^ a b "Gardaí share brilliant tweet on how to talk to female members of the force". her.ie. 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2019. the only way you should ever refer to a female Garda is by calling her Garda or Guard
  19. ^ "Garda Titles". Volume 404 No. 6. Dáil Éireann. 5 February 1991. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  20. ^ Healy, Ann (31 May 2016). "Man who brandished knife at cops is jailed". Connacht Tribune. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  21. ^ "Pic: Jamie Heaslip and the Six Nations trophy were paid a visit by An Garda Síochána". SportsJOE.ie. 22 March 2015. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  22. ^ a b "How many Garda Members are there? - An Garda Síochána - Ireland's National Police Service". 18 December 2017. Archived from the original on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Garda Promotions: 4 Nov 2014: Written answers". KildareStreet.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  24. ^ a b "FAQs". garda.ie. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  25. ^ a b c (Garda) Commissioner's report to the Policing Authority. An Garda Síochána. 1 September 2023. pp. 11, 13.
  26. ^ National Organisational Structure. Dublin: Garda Siochana. 2023. p. 1.
  27. ^ "First Garda Reserve members graduate". RTÉ News. RTÉ. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
  28. ^ "Falling Garda Reserve numbers limit scope for 'strike' cover". Irish Times. 21 October 2016. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  29. ^ Ahern, Dermot (9 September 2009). "S.I. No. 390/2009 - Garda Síochána (Ranks) (No. 2) Regulations 2009". electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB). Attorney General of Ireland. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  30. ^ Collins, Donal (March 2009). "Garda Occupational Health Service (A Welfare Focus)" (PDF). Communiqué. Garda Síochána: 31-35: 31. ISSN 1393-0974. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Garda Numbers by Division and Station Breakdown". Garda.
  32. ^ "Garda Uniform and Badges". Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  33. ^ "'Bleachtaire' — Corpas na Gaeilge Comhaimseartha". Grúpa taighde Gaois. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Maritime Analysis Operations Centre (Narcotics) Award - Detective Superintendent Sean Healy". garda.ie. November 2019. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Statement from Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on the fatal shooting of Detective Garda Colm Horkan". garda.ie. June 2020. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Garda Numbers by Division and Station Breakdown". Garda.
  37. ^ a b Lally, Conor (15 August 2022). "Gardaí get new look as modern uniforms launched for 13,000 personnel". The Irish Times.
  38. ^ Mike Dwane. "Gardai 'had to pepper spray' disgruntled bidder at auction". Limerick Leader. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  39. ^ a b Garvin, Tom (2005). 1922: The Birth of Irish Democracy (3rd ed.). Gill and Macmillan. p. 111. ISBN 0-312-16477-7.
  40. ^ "Ireland". Police Use of Force Worldwide. Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa. 1 June 2018. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  41. ^ Anne Sheridan (3 September 2008). "New armed garda unit deployed in Limerick". Limerick Leader. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
  42. ^ "Garda College Yearbook listing weapons training on page 66" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2014.
  43. ^ "The Guards And The Gun". Broadsheet. 4 December 2018. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  44. ^ "Flanagan has said he has concerns about arming all gardai". Breaking News. 4 April 2019. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  45. ^ "Purchase of vehicles". garda.ie. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  46. ^ "General Scheme – Garda Síochána Amendment Bill" (PDF). Department of Justice, Ireland. November 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  47. ^ Stephen Collins (7 November 2014). "New Bill provides for set up of independent policing authority". Irish Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2015. Fitzgerald says move 'most far-reaching reform' of Garda since foundation of State ... The general scheme of a Bill providing for the establishment of the new independent policing authority has been published by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald. The Minister received the approval of the Cabinet this week for the heads of the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2014 which will pave the way for creation of the authority.
  48. ^ Conway, Vicky (10 November 2014). "Ireland's Policing Authority". humanrights.ie. Human Rights in Ireland. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2015. Outside of its remit is security, a shorthand for state security which is defined as:[terrorism] [terrorist offences within the meaning of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005]; espionage; sabotage; acts intended to subvert or undermine parliamentary democracy or the institutions of the State, but not including lawful advocacy, protest or dissent, unless carried on in conjunction with any of those acts; and acts of foreign interference; If a dispute arises as to whether something is a security matter, the Minister will make the decision. There's a pretty clear divide in the Scheme of the Bill; when something relates to security it falls to the Minister, when it relates to policing it falls to the Authority.
  49. ^ Tom Brady (13 November 2014). "Government appoints outgoing Revenue Commissioners chairman head of new independent policing authority". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald announced this afternoon that Ms Josephine Feehily would "bring a wealth of experience and competences" to her new role. She will be chairperson-designate until legislation establishing the authority has been fully enacted.
  50. ^ Lally, Conor. "Ageing Garda fleet a 'financial time bomb' warns inspectorate". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  51. ^ "2,000 complaints made to Garda Ombudsman". RTÉ. 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  52. ^ a b "Almost 2,000 complaints received by GSOC about the Garda in 2017". The Irish Times. 25 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  53. ^ "About Us". Garda Ombudsman. Archived from the original on 4 July 2007.
  54. ^ O'Keeffe, Cormac (20 November 2014). "The problems of trying to get policing and national security to walk the line". The Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  55. ^ Griffin, Dan (21 November 2014). "Ministerial transport costs more than €14m since 2011". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  56. ^ Williams, Paul; Sheehan, Fionnan; O'Connor, Niall (21 November 2014). "Armed gardai to 'shadow' ministers amid safety fears". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  57. ^ Williams, Paul; Sheehan, Fionnan; O'Connor, Niall (18 November 2014). "Beefed up security for ministers as family water bills now down to €160". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  58. ^ "Ministerial Transport cuts and staffing reductions". MerrionStreet.ie. Irish Government. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  59. ^ Brady, Tom (17 April 2013). "ERU on alert for G8 terrorist threat". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  60. ^ McNiffe, Liam (1997). A History of the Garda Síochána. Dublin: Wolfhound Press. p. 24. ISBN 0863275818. On 17 August 1922 three small companies of the Civic Guard from Newbridge took a special train to Kingsbridge from where they marched to Dame Street and halted in front of the gates of Dublin Castle. Led by Collins and Staines, they marched in, and the last of the British army and the RIC marched out
  61. ^ "Garda Síochána (Temporary Provisions) Act 1923". Archived from the original on 8 February 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2006.
  62. ^ www.corkdesign.com. "Garda Síochána Historical Society - PoliceHistory.com". www.policehistory.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  63. ^ "History of Garda Headquarters". Garda.ie. 1 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  64. ^ a b "Our History - The Scott Medal". Garda.ie. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  65. ^ "List of Scott Medal Recipients to End 2017" (PDF). Garda.ie. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  66. ^ "Murdered garda hero honoured". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 22 February 2006. Retrieved 29 March 2006.
  67. ^ "Garda issues". Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  68. ^ "Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan resigns over whistleblower row". BBC. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  69. ^ Conor Lally; Fiach Kelly (25 March 2014). "Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan resigns over whistleblower row". Irish Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017. Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has tendered his shock resignation this morning following the deepening crisis over the penalty points controversy.
  70. ^ "Nóirín O'Sullivan is the new Garda Commissioner". Journal. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 28 November 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  71. ^ "O'Sullivan to retire over 'unending cycle' of scrutiny". RTÉ News. 11 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  72. ^ Ireland in the Twentieth Century, Tim Pat Coogan
  73. ^ "Garda Síochána Act 1979". Archived from the original on 24 February 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2008.
  74. ^ Cormac O'Keeffe (26 November 2014). "Whistleblower welcomes O'Sullivan appointment as Garda Commissioner". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015. Her appointment means the bulk of top justice posts are headed by women, including the Minister for Justice, the chair of the new Policing Authority, the Chief Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney General, and the Chief State Solicitor.
  75. ^ Lally, Conor; Griffin, Dan. "Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan retires from office". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  76. ^ "PSNI officer Drew Harris named new Garda Commissioner". RTÉ. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  77. ^ Bardon, Sarah; Lally, Conor. "New Garda Commissioner Drew Harris expected to recruit own team". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  78. ^ "Drew Harris Sworn in as Garda Commissioner". TheJournal. 3 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  79. ^ "Analysis: McDowell not for turning on Garda reserve". The Sunday Business Post. 26 February 2006. Archived from the original on 16 September 2009.
  80. ^ "History of the Army Reserve" Archived 13 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. The Defense Forces. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  81. ^ Freedom of Information Request Number F-2008-05327. Lateral Entry into PSNI Archived 2 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  82. ^ a b "Peacekeeping". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 1 March 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  83. ^ "Widow of garda killed in Bosnia tells of trauma". The Irish Times. 19 July 1996. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  84. ^ "Britain Ireland sign deal on nuclear safety". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  85. ^ "Annual Report 2005" Archived 23 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Garda Síochána Complaints Board.
  86. ^ "More than 1,000 complaints against gardaí in year". www.breakingnews.ie. 15 May 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2006.
  87. ^ "Oireachtas review recommends sweeping Garda reforms". Irish Times. 3 October 2014. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  88. ^ Francis D Murphy; Helen Buckley; Laraine Joyce (2005). The Ferns Report. Dublin: Department of Health and Children, Government Publications.
  89. ^ Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin Archived 17 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine, part 1, sections 1.92 through 1.96
  90. ^ Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin Archived 17 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine, part 1, sections 1.92
  91. ^ Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin Archived 17 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine, part 1, sections 1.93
  92. ^ a b Garda apologises for failures Archived 18 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Ciara O'Brien, The Irish Times, 26 November 2009
  93. ^ "Gardaí to examine abuse report findings". RTÉ News. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  94. ^ George Birmingham, SC (2004), Report of The Commission of Investigation(Dean Lyons Case) (PDF), archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2015, retrieved 6 June 2010
  95. ^ "Frank McBrearty Jnr settles with State for €1.5m". Irish Times. 20 September 2005. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  96. ^ "€11m in payouts for 55 victims of Donegal garda corruption". Irish Independent. 15 August 2008. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  97. ^ "Supreme Court doubles award to Frank Shortt". RTÉ. 21 March 2007. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  98. ^ "Donegal nightclub owner Shortt wins miscarriage of justice case". Irish Times. 31 July 2002. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  99. ^ Shortt v The Commissioner of An Garda Síochána [2007] IESC S9 (21 March 2007)
  100. ^ "Whistleblower McCabe settles legal actions". Irish Examiner. 1 May 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021. Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe has settled his legal action [..] Controversies that arose in relation to the handling of the McCabe case ultimately led to the resignations of two ministers for justice and two garda commissioners
  101. ^ "Garda Goes Berserk". www.indymedia.ie. Archived from the original on 31 December 2005. Retrieved 29 March 2006.
  102. ^ "Timeline of events leading to Shatter resignation". RTÉ News. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  103. ^ Tranum, Sam (8 August 2018). "Family "Bitterly Disappointed" Garda Likely to Avoid Criminal Prosecution for Dara Quigley Filming". Dublin Inquirer. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  104. ^ "Irish police colluded with IRA during Troubles, says former IRA member". The Guardian. December 2014. Archived from the original on 13 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  105. ^ Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into suggestions that members of the Garda Siochana or other employees of the State colluded in the fatal shooting of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan on the 20th March 1989 (PDF) (Report). Smithwick Tribunal. December 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  106. ^ "Acting Clerk of Dáil confirms publication of report from Judge Peter Smithwick". Houses of Oireachtas (Press Release). December 2013. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  107. ^ "Smithwick: Collusion in Bob Buchanan and Harry Breen murders". BBC News. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  108. ^ "Irish police colluded in murders of RUC officers Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan, report finds". Telegraph Newspaper. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  109. ^ "Seanad hears tribute to Eddie Fullerton". Inishowen News. 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  110. ^ Mc Daid, Kieran (26 May 2006). "Inquiry urged into murder of councillor". Irish Exaniner. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  111. ^ "McDowell considering inquiry into Eddie Fullerton murder". Breaking News. 21 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  112. ^ "Garda operation at site of Corrib gas terminal". RTÉ News. 3 October 2006. Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
  113. ^ "Corrib policing bill tops €1m in month". Breaking News. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  114. ^ "Garda gets Interpol aid on Corrib protesters". The Irish Times. 9 September 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  115. ^ "New gas pipeline route likely to be as controversial as original". The Irish Times. 29 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 November 2011.
  116. ^ "Complaints against 20 Gardaí in Corrib row". Western People. 9 May 2007. Archived from the original on 19 September 2009.
  117. ^ "TDs criticise Garda response to 'Shell to Sea' protests". BreakingNews.ie. 21 November 2006. Archived from the original on 16 September 2009.
  118. ^ "'O'Sullivan's replacement may need to be headhunted' - Fianna Fáil's justice spokesman". Independent News & Media. 11 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  119. ^ "Garda breath test scandal: How did we get here?". Irish Times. 6 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  120. ^ "Report 5, Arrest and Detention of 7 persons at Burnfoot, County Donegal on May 23, 1998 and the Investigation relating to same – Conclusions and Recommendations: The Danger of Indiscipline" (PDF). Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. 17 August 2006. p. 254. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2006.
  121. ^ "Insubordination not widespread, says Garda chief". The Irish Times. 2 September 2006. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  122. ^ "Statement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the publication of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Reports of the Morris Tribunal". Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. 17 August 2006. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007.
  123. ^ "Garda Síochána Act 2005". irishstatutebook.ie. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  124. ^ "Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015". irishstatutebook.ie. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  125. ^ a b "An Garda Síochána - Public Attitudes Survey - Q1 2017" (PDF). An Garda Síochána. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  126. ^ "Most happy with gardaí but want improvement – survey". The Irish Times. 12 October 2008.
  127. ^ "Garda survey finds doubts about how force is managed". RTÉ. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  128. ^ "Garda strike: Here's the deal that's being offered to gardaí". Journal.ie. 4 November 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  129. ^ a b "Gardaí need to recruit Muslims to "win the war against radicalism"". Irishexaminer.com. 22 November 2015. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  130. ^ "Call to policing body for Garda hate crimes unit". Irishexaminer.com. 28 August 2018. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  131. ^ a b "The Band of An Garda Síochána". Garda website. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017.
  132. ^ "Garda Band for Slane fundraising concert". Meath Chronicle. 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  133. ^ "Thousands at St Patrick's Day event". Irish Independent. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  134. ^ "Garda band proposal to take part in Pride parade". Journal.ie. 23 May 2014. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  135. ^ "The Band of An Garda Síochána". Garda. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  136. ^ "TheJournal.ie - The Garda Band has cost taxpayers €5.5 million over the past three years". www.thejournal.ie. 14 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  137. ^ Colombo, Francesca; Tapay, Nicole (2004). Private Health Insurance in Ireland: A Case Study. Paris: OECD. p. 23.
  138. ^ O’Riordan, Sean (1 May 2013). ""We've become like St Vincent de Paul"". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  139. ^ "Coiste Siamsa". An Garda Síochána. Retrieved 21 September 2023.

External links[edit]