Two Garda related stories in the news over the weekend.
The first concerns the controversial Garda Reserve, the first batch of 40 Reserves started training last Saturday in Templemore. There has been a huge response to the drive to recruit Reserve Gardaí with over 6.6k applying to join so far.
Personally I am against the Reserve. I think we have enough problems with the Gardaí at the moment without adding to them. Morale is low in the force and the Reserve issue is only making it worse. And considering this is such a hot issue with the Gardaí I am surprised so many people applied to join. Would you apply to join knowing that the Gardaí object to the whole idea of a reserve force?
The second issue is related to arming our Gardaí. The head of the Garda Inspectorate, Kathleen O’Toole, has warned that arming Gardaí may need to be considered if the current levels of crime continue.
I was always divided on this issue, mis-believing that arming our force would lead to criminals arming themselves … which of course they have done anyway. I now believe we definitely should have an armed force. I wouldn’t necessarily arm every officer [although they do in other countries and it may not be a bad idea] but, like in the UK, I would at least create a special armed force who could back up regular Gardaí and could be on call for raids or special security duties etc. Of course we have the ERU but that’s not enough. I think it is shocking that in this day and age that we send our Gardaí into dangerous situations without weapons and even worse without proper protection like stab vests or bullet proof vests. It’s a disgrace! I don’t expect McDowell to do much but hopefully a future Minister for Justice with care enough about our Gardaí to provide them with both the personal protection and arms they need to combat crime that is out of control in many areas.
Interestingly enough, the latest edition of MaGill has an article titled “Crime Hysteria” (I picked it up at Dublin Aerport whilst leaving to come back to Amerika).
To summarise, it says Ireland has the 2nd lowest rate of crime in the EU, but the highest rate of people scared of crime. And the media & politicians are to blame for this hysteria.
Really? The other EU countries must be totally shit so.
Seriously though, is it that crime isn’t reported so much here or they have a different definition of crime or what? I mean there is some serious crime spots in Dublin or Limerick, areas where the Guards are scared to go into, you wouldn’t find such areas in Finland (for ex.) which generally feels a much safer place to be.
p.s. you got back safely Mick! Have a good trip home?
Damn right we need more armed officers. We also need some decent equipment.
Criminals are armed already, to shoot eachother and commit crimes, arming the Gardai would only mean we could shoot back instead of jumping behind the patrol car and waiting for God to intervene.
But alas we wont get what we need because then the government would have to admit what we all know anyway and also concede they have done shag all about it.
Arming the Gardai is long overdue but more important would be the issue of some decent body armour with stab plates IMHO.It is obscene that they have to depend on donations when the country is supposedly awash with money.A decent level II A vest with stab plates costs about US$300 (about 240 euros at today’s rate) and would be considerably less wholesale.What is that compared to a human life?
I’m sorry but this gets me insane with anger and it really is no wonder the force is in a bit of a rut right now.The men and women of this overwhemingly dedicated and professional force are being treated with disdain and contempt and deserve so much better.
Shrouds are cheaper I suppose?
There’s absolutely no excuse for the under equipping of the Gardaí, it’s scandalous really. They should stick McDowell out on the beat in Limerick or N.Dublin and see if that’s wakes him up. I mean, US$300 by 10,000 vests … tiny money really.
Maybe it’s just me but every picture I see of McDowell puts me in mind of DIck Cheney.Seperated at hatching do you think?
Bertie (and a phalanx of very armed Gardai) were out in Moyross the other day.The mother says several locals (herself among them)were waving money at his car yelling ” Hi Bertie! Do ya need a few bob?” Fucking classic.
haha deadly!