Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE ANNUAL DELEGATE conference for rank and file gardaí will hear an emergency motion to call for action against threats made to members during the recent fuel protests.
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) will meet in Westport, Co Mayo this week to discuss a range of topics.
It is understood that representatives from across the country have raised the issue with gardaí in the south east requesting a discussion on the topic.
Last week The Journal reported that gardaí had launched investigations into multiple incidents of so-called doxxing, where the personal details of a targeted person, such as their address, are released on line. Posts, seen by The Journal, have been published online with comments calling on people to attack the homes of officers or “run them out” of where they are living.
Other online attacks have focused on identified female gardaí. The posts have included claims about their health history and their personal relationships. In other posts, photographs of gardaí have been published and misidentified.
Images of gardaí, taken at protest sites, have also been doctored using AI to show them in compromising situations.
In one post, shared by the account a well-known agitator, a photo of a Garda is posted with the caption: “Make this traitor famous Ireland”.
Other emergency motions to be discussed include calls for a full review of the current suspension policy in the wake of recent cases such as those in Limerick and the Bikegate case.
A total of 11 gardaí were suspended during the seven-year investigation by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) into accusations that officers, including a now retired superintendent, handled the cancelling of road offence tickets in Limerick.
A total of 130 gardaí were questioned and their phones seized. Two of those gardaí were never charged but continued to be suspended. All those who were suspended have been reinstated after court cases failed to accept the NBCI’s claims of criminal behaviour.
Bikegate involved a garda, who is stationed in the midlands, loaning a bicycle to a farmer. He was investigated by NBCI and suspended. After media coverage and a political and public outcry the garda was cleared of any wrongdoing and was returned to work.
It is understood some of the gardaí involved will attend the conference.
The GRA has consistently said that the discipline regime in An Garda Síochána has created an unfair scenario where innocent gardaí are being suspended for years without fair procedure.
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin clarified that he would not support a public enquiry, Tánaste Simon Harris said he would. The Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly have also ruled out such a tribunal.
There has been a recent judge led public review into garda malpractice and a dysfunctional treatment of garda whistleblowers known as the Disclosures Tribunal.
Another area of concern to be discussed is the need for a separate working drivers licence for gardaí when using patrol vehicles plus a higher threshold for drivers when pursuit driving.
This issue has been extensively reported on by The Journal. Garda drivers are not adequately trained to deal with pursuits, and a recent criminal conviction of a garda while pursuing a scrambler style motorbike has confirmed reporting that gardaí see pursuit of scramblers as an unreasonable risk.
Outgoing GRA President Mark O’Meara, said that the Minister for justice and Garda Commissioner have not adequately listened to garda concerns.
“Recent weeks have highlighted some of the unique pressures and challenges that garda members face on a daily basis, and this year’s Annual Delegates Conference provides a platform for us to seek the conditions, rights and protections that we deserve.
“The theme for this year’s 48th Annual Conference is ‘Justice in Practice’: Fair Rights, Fair Rates & Fair Treatment’ and we expect both the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner will listen to our concerns and show their support in real terms rather than soundbites,” he said.
Other areas to be discussed will be around issues such as pay, allowances, pensions, health and safety equipment and training.
They will also consider motions on entitlements and increments, current technology, medical training as well mental health supports, uniform, equipment and transfers.
The conference will also hear debates on a number of issues and motions that were raised at the GRA’s Special Delegates Conference in Kilkenny in February of this year, regarding possible action during Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency.
Both Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan and the Garda Commissioner, Justin Kelly will attend for the first time since taking up their roles. The GRA conference during Drew Harris’ tenure saw the then Justice Minister and Commissioner not attend the event but there has been a thawing of relations between the representative body and garda management.
There will be an election of a new President with Dublin representative Niall Hodgins taking up the role unopposed. There will be an election for the vice president job with Meath delegate Liam Hennessy, Richie Kennedy from Tipperary and Kildare representative John Joe O’Connell all standing.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say