Garda Robert McCallion - Garda Review magazine

garda The 

No. 3 Volume 37 April 2009 

www.gardareview.ie 

review 

Force Magazine since 1923 

Garda Robert McCallion 

1979-2009 

FOC GR_April09 1 16/04/2009 10:49:55

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Neil Ward 

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EDITORIAL CONTENT 

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garda review 

gardaThe Force Magazine since 1923 

Garda Robert McCallion 

No. 3 Volume 37 April 2009 

www.gardareview.ie 

Volume 37 No.3 April 2009 

1979-2009 

FOC GR_April09 1 16/04/2009 10:49:55 

Cover Photography: The State funeral 

of Garda Robert McCallion. 

Photo by Keith Heneghan/Phocus 

Legacy for 

one of 

Ireland’s fi nest IT WAS WITH SADNESS and sorrow that members of An Garda Síochána heard 

that our colleague Garda Robert McCallion had lost his fi ght for life. The injury, 

and subsequent death, of Garda McCallion sent a shockwave through Irish 

society; expressed in the outpouring of communal grief in Swinford, Letterkenny 

and wider Ireland. Once again, this tragic loss of a young life reinforced the 

occupational hazards all members face in the line of duty every time they go 

to work and the subconscious fears of their families and loved ones. Our thoughts and 

prayers are with his family, girlfriend, friends and colleagues at this awful time. 

The phone call that Robbie’s family received on that fateful morning is one that the 

families of all gardaí dread. Robbie was a hardworking young garda who was always fi rst 

to the line when duty called. He was a devoted son and brother and an adoring uncle to 

his young niece. He was a loyal colleague. 

We are part of the community; not a police force imposed from outside. The people of 

Ireland, the law abiding citizens of this country are with us; these are the citizens who 

are the backbone of this country, and who are united in their support for our members 

on the streets of our cities, towns and villages. This was evidenced when the people of 

Letterkenny and County Donegal attended prayer vigils when Garda McCallion was in an 

intensive care unit. They were united in their anguish and their support for their gardaí 

who face down criminal activity in the community. 

Few people personally know or are known to thousands of others; so when thousands 

attended his State funeral we must assume many have come in support of the family, 

to share the burden of their pain. Many from outside the Force will have attended the 

removal, the funeral mass or signed a book of condolence to offer comfort and bolster 

morale for members who uphold the tenets of our society and culture. 

We can consider this dialogue with the people of Ireland to be a legacy of the life of 

a loyal and upright citizen who joined An Garda Síochána to serve the citizens of this 

country. 

We have continued to voice our concerns and made every effort to ensure that our 

society at least debates the modern threats to our members, and we will continue this 

until all of our members are afforded meaningful protection. Sometimes our methods 

have been regarded as shock tactics. If the public is shocked by the realities of policing 

Ireland then this has to be seen as a good thing; we need the public to be aware of the 

truth and to meaningfully debate these issues. 

Being a garda is unique. No meaningful comparisons are possible as no similar 

occupation exist. Our routine work carries occupational hazards found nowhere else; we 

work on the frontline between society and criminality, an area fraught with dangers. Much 

of our work has no precedent and we are required to operate in uncharted territory; yet 

we must be accountable at all times. 

As we collectively mourn a fallen colleague, we seek for a lasting legacy for Garda 

McCallion’s ultimate sacrifi ce. 

Ireland and its people must re-examine 

its priorities and re-emerge with a robust 

commitment behind those who enforce 

the law and protect the community. 

April 2009 garda review 1 

Pg 1 GR_April 09.indd 1 17/04/2009 10:11:08

features... 

8 COnferenCe MOtiOnS 

The dangerous nature of garda work 

and the risks members face – and the 

depleting resources to face down these 

dangers will be discussed throughout 

the GRA conference. Members will 

debate the strategy to protect garda 

pay within economic crisis. 

10 netwOrk PerilS 

They might seem like a bit of 

harmless fun, but the power of the 

internet means social networking 

sites have the power to destroy 

careers, writes Paul Golden. 

22 MArketing fOrCe 

The complexities of modern policing 

make it more important than ever 

to maximise the impact of modern 

media for specific campaigns as well 

as general relationship building, 

writes Paul Golden. 

regulars... 

12 newS Brief 

A round up of stories from under the 

radar. 

14 Prize CrOSSwOrd 

Motorola K3 mobile phones for two 

of our winners. 

15 COMPetitiOn 

Win laser eye surgery. 

18 MOney tAlk 

Guest writers on financial issues. 

index... 

1 editOriAl 

4 in MeMOry 

5 grA vOiCe 

6 gArdA vOiCe 

7 tOur de fOrCe 2009 

8 COnferenCe MOtiOnS 

10 netwOrk PerilS 

12 newS Brief 

14 Prize CrOSSwOrd 

15 COMPetitiOn 

16 grAduAtiOn 

2 garda review April 2009 

garda reviewApril 2009 

26 whAt if? 

I predict a riot. British police have 

warned of civil unrest on their streets 

this summer. Tom Prendeville asks; 

will it happen here? 

28 MOuntAin Bike 

The bicycle was once the 

commonplace form of transport for 

the garda, but it largely disappeared 

to be replaced by the patrol car. It is 

making a comeback to Irish policing; 

Bronagh McCrystal examines the 

advantages. 

32 tAllAght CleAn uP 

Community gardaí in Tallaght 

launched this year’s National 

Spring Clean with the largest ever 

community clean up. 

25 nOtiCeBOArd 

Transfer swaps and classifieds. 

31 infOrMer 

Garda stories and views. 

34 gArdA SPOrtSfile 

Sports news from around the 

organisation. 

36 in the jOB 

The list is out. 

40 lASt wOrd 

The ‘open mike’ for readers. 

18 MOney tAlk 

20 eyewitneSS 

22 MArketing fOrCe 

25 nOtiCeBOArd 

26 whAt if? 

28 MOuntAin Bike 

31 infOrMer 

32 COMMunity COMMitMent 

34 gArdA SPOrtSfile 

36 in the jOB 

40 lASt wOrd 

Opening 

Shot 

Members of the 

International Police 

Association from various 

police forces visited Garda 

Headquarters meeting 

Deputy Commissioner 

Martin Callinan 

Garda Neil Cepeda 

(Mountjoy) and Garda 

Robert Rowe (ComPol 

Fitzgibbon Street). 

pg2-3 GR_April09.indd 2 16/04/2009 19:43:10

the 

true 

cost 

the government 

policy on public 

sector pay cuts is 

proving an incentive 

for members to 

retire; and with 

the future unwritten, many have seen the 

arbitrary changes as a reason to move on 

while they retain some of their hard earned 

terms and conditions of employment. 

The recruitment freeze will reduce garda 

numbers. The government promised 16,000 

gardaí – this was judged to be the number 

required before the last election, so there is 

greater need now to address rising crime. 

New people into any organisation make it 

vibrant, and bring new energy and ideas that 

boost morale. This will inevitably reduce garda 

numbers; and if recruitment is deferred for too 

long we will quickly return to 2005 levels. 

We saw a thriving Garda College for the 

past four years; refreshing and uplifting. 

Graduation ceremonies with up to 275 welltrained, 

qualified members showed Ireland 

as a progressive nation; colleagues from 

around the world visited to see the workings 

of a thriving national police college that 

was accrediting graduates with educational 

qualifications as well as practical skills. 

Land was purchased for a world centre of 

excellence. We all believed this would soon be 

a reality and there was a real sense that giant 

strides were possible. 

Such was the accelerated recruitment we 

are now in a situation where the average 

NeIl 

WARD 

notebook 

service of the Force has decreased: 40% of 

members of An Garda Síochána have four 

years or less. If the government had a strategy 

for reducing the cost of policing without 

compromising the security and protection 

of citizens, they would continue with the 

accelerated recruitment programme. An 

increasingly junior service is less-expensive 

policing. Before accruing increments of service, 

a Force of junior members may have more 

energy than experience, but for government 

bean counters it is policing on the cheap. 

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released 

figures that the average weekly earnings for 

a member of An Garda Síochána is €1,207.24. 

This includes all ranks and is skewed upwardly 

by including the pay of senior officers in the 

calculation. It does not reflect the average 

pay of Garda rank; the true figure has been 

steadily decreasing as the service becomes 

increasingly junior. 

No other developed nation in Europe has 

cut police pay. The cost of policing can be 

reduced without imposing personal hardship. 

This is hurting most at the junior service level, 

where many are still paying off the loans they 

took to finance their expenses while training. 

This government saves money in the 

short term but will prove retrograde after 

the recruitment freeze; if good times return 

potential recruits will be doubtful. Policing as 

a career option will have been devalued. 


pg2-3 GR_April09.indd 3 16/04/2009 19:43:15

In memory 

A tribute to 

GARDA ROBERT McCALLION 

GARDA ROBERT 

McCallion lost his fi ght 

for life on 7th April 2009; 

after the 29-year old 

garda was struck by 

a car while on duty in 

Letterkenny almost two weeks previously. He 

was given a State funeral in his home town 

of Swinford on Easter Monday. Thousands 

attended his funeral mass at the Church of Our 

Lady Help of Christians in Swinford, Co Mayo, 

and burial at Kilconduff Cemetery. 

Senior garda offi cers, politicians and friends 

of Garda Robbie McCallion previously turned 

out in Dublin to pay their respects after 

Garda McCallion died at Beaumont Hospital. 

Uniformed gardaí formed a guard of honour 

The Thin Blue Line 

A hero you are today 

You reacted to the situation at hand, 

The actions of your bravery 

Some fi nd hard to understand. 

To defi ne what makes a hero 

I reference March 26th, 

When you, just a young garda 

Made the ultimate sacrifi ce. 

You could have walked away 

And saved your life that day, 

But you chose to stand and do your duty 

A hero you are today. 

We must never forget our heroes 

Nor the sacrifi ce that they make, 

For their unselfi sh acts of bravery 

Or the price they have to pay. 

May God bless Robbie’s family 

May our country never forget, 

All our fallen heroes 

Our thanks and our regrets. 

We will never forget you Robbie 

Your heart was true blue, 

The smile that creased your face 

Is a remembrance always of you. 

A serving member of unit C, Letterkenny 


as the hearse left the 

city centre followed by 

four funeral cars carrying 

family members. Six 

Garda motorcyclists 

escorted the cortège. 

Commissioner 

Fachtna Murphy expressed his deep regret and 

sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues 

of Garda McCallion. 

The Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said, 

“Robbie gave his life as a member of An Garda 

Síochána protecting the community he was 

so proud to serve in the best traditions of the 

Force. 

“Robbie’s death is a desperately sad 

reminder of the dangers which members of An 

Garda Síochána can face in trying to protect the 

community and of the support we owe them.” 

On behalf of all members of the Garda 

Representative Association, GRA President 

Michael O’Boyce said, “It is with sadness and 

sorrow that members of An Garda Síochána have 

learned that our colleague Garda Robert McCallion 

lost his fi ght for life. Our thoughts and prayers are 

with his family, girlfriend, friends and colleagues at 

this awful time. It is a great tragedy that his life was 

cut short while he went about his duty serving the 

people of Letterkenny. 

“The phone call that Robbie’s family received 

on that fateful morning is one that the families of 

all gardaí dread. Robbie was a hardworking young 

garda who was always fi rst to the line when duty 

called. He was a devoted son and brother and an 

adoring uncle to his young niece. He was a loyal 

colleague. 

“He will be fondly remembered by the people of 

Letterkenny and Swinford; and all who knew him.” 

Sergeant Christy Galligan is the sergeant for 

unit C, Robert McCallion’s unit, in Letterkenny. He 

said, “Everyday there is danger just around the 

corner for any member of An Garda Síochána. 

Unfortunately, this call proved fatal for Robbie. He 

was a pleasant, honest, hardworking young man 

who was always happy. 

“He will never be forgotten.” ■ 

p4 GR_April09 Memory.indd 2 17/04/2009 10:16:06

discretion 

A garda’s discretion is of greater use to modern 

policing than corporate management thinking, 

writes GRA President Michael O’Boyce 

michael 

o’boyce 

There are many 

difficulties 

facing members 

now. Our world 

has changed 

dramatically in the last year. The 

Force has been shocked by the 

recent death of our colleague 

Garda Robert McCallion in 

Letterkenny. As the GRA executive 

member for the Donegal Division 

I have seen first hand the effect 

that this has on his colleagues 

and friends; and of course on 

his family and loved ones. We 

will never forget the sacrifice 

made by this young man for 

the community that he served. 

Robbie’s family and the gardaí 

deeply appreciate the support 

and words of solace afforded to 

us by the people of Donegal, and 

beyond, after this tragedy. 

We have always known that 

a garda’s role is to enter a world 

where danger is prevalent; that 

is why the Force was created, 

to face down the threats to our 

community. The safety of our 

members, the resources available 

to us and the recompense we 

receive for our efforts are all 

The power of 

being eroded by the current 

economic situation and we 

will be addressing these at 

our forthcoming conference in 

Killarney. We need real leadership 

now. 

I once heard someone describe 

the difference between a manager 

and a leader; that a manager is 

someone who tries to push the 

rope up the hill while a leader 

pulls the rope up. It was apt, 

and throughout the Celtic tiger 

our society has leaned towards 

managers rather than leaders. 

Many thought this was progressive 

and modernising; including senior 

garda officers. 

It seems many members 

of senior rank have become 

servants of their own self image 

and their primary focus is the 

pursuit of promotion. Ambition, 

self advancement and seeking 

promotion are worthwhile traits 

and objectives, but not at the 

expense of vocational loyalty. 

We should not be grafting 

corporate management 

concepts into a police force 

and environment. I strongly 

believe such concepts and the 

accompanying (meaningless) 

buzzword terminologies risk 

destroying the core culture of An 

Garda Síochána. We should not 

dismiss our origins so lightly in the 

name of modernisation; they have 

been central in keeping us at the 

very heart of our communities. 

At this year’s GRA conference 

I will be urging the Garda 

Commissioner to let us return to 

traditional and standard policing 

strategies and terminology and to 

forget about the business school 

model currently overwhelming the 

Force. 

The Force has too many 

managers and not enough leaders 

in the ranks of the senior officers. 

Many members of supervisory 

rank in An Garda Síochána are 

struggling. This shows itself 

in their refusal or inability to 

make decisions. The Garda 

Representative Association does 

not have a difficulty in dealing 

with a decision that we feel is 

wrong, a mistake. But we have a 

major problem where decisions 

are not being made or they are 

‘fudged’. Too many decisions in 

An Garda Síochána are being ‘long 

GRA Voice 

fingered’ and ignored in the hope, 

it seems, that they won’t have to 

be made. This is wrong. 

No one should feel that 

they are not allowed to make 

a mistake. Some of the great 

discoveries have been made as 

a result of mistakes. But many 

senior officers feel that it is better 

not to make a decision in case 

they may make a mistake. 

These supervisors who are 

struggling must be dealt with. The 

Garda Commissioner must make 

this a priority. Not to do so is 

unfair on them as they struggle to 

cope, unfair on those who suffer 

under them and unfair on the 

Force in general. 

On the day of my passing 

out parade we were addressed 

by the then Commissioner, the 

late Patrick McLaughlin. I still 

remember his words, “Of all the 

powers you have been given 

as a garda the most important 

one is the power of discretion in 

summary matters. Never forget 

that you have that power and use 

it often.” 

Those wise words of 

Commissioner McLaughlin 

have lost favour with senior 

garda officers over the years. 

This is a tragedy. The use of 

a garda’s discretion has paid 

great dividends in community 

satisfaction, approachability 

and respect. Sadly this is being 

eroded, by the actions of many 

supervisory ranks who feel that 

returns and revenue gathering is 

more important than community 

solidarity. 

Summary discretion should be 

revived and encouraged by all 

senior ranks. Let us return to the 

traditional community orientated 

policing style that served 

this country so well since the 

foundation of the State. Discretion 

should be one of the ten pillars 

supporting our ideals. 

International best practice is 

an overused phrase and beloved 

by ‘experts’, but may not be 

best practice in an Irish context. 

The men and women of An 

Garda Síochána, who are on the 

frontline, often have the best 

ideas and working solutions to the 

practical problems we face, every 

hour, every day of the year. n 


pg5 GR_April09 GRA voice.indd 1 17/04/2009 09:39:57

Garda Voice 

Radio 

dilemma 

HAVING UNDERTAKEN training in the new Tetra 

radio system an issue came to mind which I 

feel needs to be highlighted: Garda policy will 

require members assigned to mobile patrol 

duties to power off their personal issue units 

while in a car or van and use the unit fi tted to 

the vehicle. 

Members assigned to mobile patrol are often 

the fi rst at scene for a variety of incidents. 

Where a rapid exit is required from the vehicle, 

to chase a suspect, to intervene in a fi ght, to 

prevent harm to a member of the public, it will 

be required that garda personnel take 15-20 

seconds to power on their units and enter the 

required pin. This is simply not practicable and 

if ignored will result in unnecessary delays for 

garda personnel which could further result in 

injuries to both members of An Garda Síochána 

Ronanstown escort unit. 


and to members of the public. 

I feel this issue is of suffi cient importance to 

require immediate consideration. As a possible 

solution, and also as a means of reducing the 

cost of implementing the new system, I would 

suggest removing the units which are to be 

fi tted to vehicles and allowing gardaí to use 

their personal radio at ALL times. 

Séamus Kelly 

By email 

There are additional issues. The radio in the 

car will always get better coverage especially 

in rural areas due to battery power and size 

of aerial. If there are up to four members in a 

car all on the same talk group then the same 

audio from all radios at the same time will 

make it diffi cult to hear anything. 

GRA: Ban on 

recruitment 

and promotions 

needs rethink 

GARDA NUMBERS will fall by the end of this 

year. There will be less gardaí policing the 

streets of Ireland at the end of the year than 

there was at the beginning, the GRA has said. 

The Minister for Finance has prohibited 

recruitment and promotions for the 

foreseeable future, which will have a major, 

negative impact on frontline policing. It is 

estimated that 400 members of An Garda 

Síochána will retire this year; therefore there 

will be a net reduction in garda numbers. 

GRA President Michael O’Boyce said, 

“Certain ranks in An Garda Síochána exercise 

statutory powers of detention of prisoners; if 

vacancies aren’t fi lled this will have an impact 

on the investigation of crime. 

“For those who were due to be promoted 

this year, it will inevitably sap their morale, 

that they will now not be promoted. The GRA 

will actively lobby the government to think 

again.” 

There are no plans announced to close all 

or part of the Garda College, but no letters of 

offer have been despatched for student intake 

beyond May; and the last two intakes have 

reduced to around 100. 

Teaching staff and representative 

associations have been informed that the 

recruitment freeze will continue for 20 months 

after the last batch of recruits enter the College 

in May. 

The full impact will not be felt until later – by 

the end of next year when the large intakes 

of 2007 and 2008 complete training – though 

already some kitchen and cleaning staff have 

been laid off and training staff transferred out 

of the College to routine policing duties. The 

Garda Commissioner emphasised that other 

continuous professional development courses 

will still be implemented from the college after 

they returned to the college from the Abbey 

Court Hotel in Nenagh. 

The reduction in recruitment and promotion 

is likely to lead to a signifi cant reduction in the 

number of sergeants and inspectors who will 

not be replaced when they retire; and is more 

likely to see a reduction of garda numbers in 

rural areas unless members are redeployed 

from the urban centres. 

The GRA has regularly called for an optimum 

numbers survey to establish what is the actual 

number of gardaí required to properly police 

this country. This call will be revived at this 

year’s GRA conference. 

p6 GR_April09 Garda voice.indd 2 17/04/2009 10:19:46

Tour de 

A group of 50 

members of An 

Garda Síochána - 

with their friends 

and family - take 

part in an annual 

sponsored cycle 

event to aid 

various local, 

national and 

international 

charities writes 

Deirdre Gill 

In 2005 we cycled 

650kms from Roscoff in 

North Western France 

to San Sebastian in 

Northern Spain, in 

aid of the National Children’s 

Hospital, Crumlin and a re-building 

programme in Haiti. Funds raised 

exceeded €100,000. In 2006 we 

cycled 620kms along Ireland’s west 

coast from Letterkenny, Co Donegal 

to Kenmare, Co. Kerry for Debra 

Ireland. Funds raised exceeded 

€90,000. 

In 2007 we cycled 600kms 

from Madrid to Marbella on 

Spain’s southern coast. Due to the 

wonderful experience we all had 

working with Debra Ireland in 

2006, we were very proud to again 

Sergeant Deirdre Gill (Garda 

Headquarters), RTÉ’s Brian 

Ormonde and model Pippa 

O’Connor launched this year’s 

cycle in the Garda Club. 

FORCE 

associate ourselves with them and 

in turn, all funds raised in 2007 

went directly to them. Funds raised 

exceeded €100,000. 

In 2008 we cycled 600kms from 

Marrowbone Lane in Dublin city 

centre to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, in 

aid of the Christina Noble Children’s 

Foundation (CNCF) and the Re 

Nua Project at Saint John of God, 

Celbridge, Co. Kildare. Funds raised 

exceeded €110,000. The funds 

raised on behalf of CNCF will fund 

the building and fi tting out of a 

medical centre and childcare facility 

in Mi Kong Delta of Vietnam. 

In September 2009 we will 

cycle 600kms from Lisbon to 

Albufi era on the Portuguese 

Algarve, in aid of Aware. The aim 

above Detective Sergeant Paschal Walsh (GBFI – right of picture) presented a 

souvenir of last year’s Tour de Force to Colm Dowling (left), General Manager of 

Captain America’s - last year’s sponsor. 

AWARE - Helping to 

Defeat Depression 

AWARE is a voluntary 

organisation established in 1985 

to provide support to those 

suffering from depression and 

their families. Depression is a 

treatable illness, but in severe 

and un-treated cases, it can 

result in suicide. Depression 

remains a widely underreported 

condition due to lack of 

recognition as well as the stigma 

which still surrounds all types of 

mental ill-health. Experts suggest 

that as many as 90% of suicides 

can be traced back to depression. 

Objectives 

• Help patients with depression 

and their families cope with 

the illness. 

• Increased public awareness 

of the nature, extent and 

consequence of mood 

disorders. 

• Promote research into causes 

and effective treatment of 

mood disorders. 

of ‘Tour de Force 2009’ is to raise 

in excess of €100,000 for the 

national organisation working to 

create greater public awareness of 

depression and its impact, as well 

as providing emotional support to 

individuals and families affected by 

the condition. 

The funds raised will go towards 

the ‘Beat the Blues’ programme; 

a schools programme aiming to 

educate teenagers on the signs of 

depression and to let them know 

of the support facilities available 

if they, or any of their friends, are 

experiencing any diffi culties and 

need to talk to someone. 

We are currently fi nalising details 

of the Tour de Force cycle 2009. 

The cycle, which will take place 

in September of this year, will 

raise funds for the work of Aware. 

The cycle begins on Monday, 21st 

September 2009 and fi nishes on 

Friday the 25th September 2009. 

Places on the trip are now fi lled; 

training and fundraising for the event 

are well underway. All donations will 

be greatly appreciated, for further 

details please go to 

www.tourdeforcecycle.com. 


pg7 GR_April09 TourDeF.indd 1 16/04/2009 20:22:20

The Garda Representative 

Association will be 

holding its 31st Annual 

Delegate Conference in 

Killarney on 28th/29th 

April. Every delegate 

carries the weight of responsibility at the 

annual conference; for those who they 

represent. Conference is the policy making 

body, and its mandate directs efforts and 

policy for the year to come. 

There are signifi cant issues to discuss 

and debate. There are motions that refl ect 

the dangerous nature of garda work and 

the risks members face – and the depleting 

resources to face down these dangers. 

Throughout the course of conference, the 


conference 

motions 

GRA will debate garda pay and a campaign 

to protect it as Ireland undergoes economic 

crisis. 

The standing orders committee select 

motions to be presented from all garda 

divisions, and these form the basis of the 

conference agenda. This committee informs 

divisional committees whose motions were 

not included. Delegates to the 30th Annual 

Delegate Conference in Mayo elected the 

standing orders committee by secret ballot. 

Any delegate is permitted to address the 

conference in Irish or English, and subject 

to the discretion of the GRA President, the 

proposer of a motion shall be allowed not 

more than fi ve minutes, the seconder three 

minutes and each succeeding speaker three 

minutes. Discussion on any one motion is 

limited to sixty minutes. 

No motion or amendment accepted by 

the standing orders committee can be 

withdrawn without the consent of two-thirds 

of the delegates present. 

Urgent matter 

Urgent matters not on the agenda can be 

introduced or discussed at any session of 

conference only when permission to do so 

has been obtained in the fi rst instance from 

the standing orders committee. Should 

this committee grant permission for the 

introduction of any motion, the secretary 

immediately informs the President and with 

the consent of conference, a suitable time is 

fi xed for the introduction and discussion of 

such motion. 

An “urgent motion” shall be deemed to 

be a matter of vital importance arising in 

the interval between the fi rst Monday in 

December and the time during Conference at 

which permission to introduce it is sought. 

Motions to be discussed form clear areas; 

the dangerous nature of the job, the lack of 

resources and the impact of remuneration. 

Also, a number of motions relate to the 

modernisation of working practices and 

industrial relations. All motions are listed by 

the proposing division, and in some cases 

these divisions have been realigned since their 

annual general meetings. 

pg8-9 GR_April09 Conf.indd 2 17/04/2009 10:31:58

Motions 

Accommodation 

“That conference demands that the Office of 

the Comptroller and Auditor General examines 

expenditure by the Office of Public Works relating 

to the capital building programme and the garda 

maintenance budget”. 

(Division 14 Wexford) 

Association 

“That Conference debates the need for the position 

of Central Executive Committee (CEC) to be on a 

full time basis and, if deemed necessary, that the 

change be sought immediately”. 

(Sligo/Leitrim) 

“That conference directs the CEC to formulate and 

facilitate a comprehensive training programme 

to enable at least one member from each garda 

district to be fully trained in the workings of the 

Garda Síochána Act 2005, Garda Ombudsman 

Commission and the Garda Siochana Discipline 

Regulations 2007”. 

(Division 14 Wexford) 

Change Management 

“That conference directs the CEC to issue clear 

policy instructions to the membership to assist 

in the prevention of the practice whereby garda 

management and supervisors issue oral directions 

or electronic text directions to members of An 

Garda Síochána which conflict with previously 

issued, lawful written orders such as those 

contained in a written witness summons”. 


“That conference directs the CEC to seek 

assurance from the Commissioner of An Garda 

Síochána which certifies that each and every 

incident of an assault on duty of a member is 

properly recorded on PULSE, properly reported 

to the HSA, fully investigated by garda 

management and prosecuted to the highest 

level to counteract the current concerns of the 

membership”. 

(Sligo/Leitrim, Galway West and DMR South 

Central) 

“Conference demands that if and when 

decisions are being made in future in relation 

to operational matters and/or changing of 

district boundaries, this should not be decided 

without prior meaningful consultation with the 

associations”. 

(Roscommon/Galway East) 

Health and Safety 

“That conference demands that management 

initiate suitable training in relation to dealing 

with dangerous dogs, and supply appropriate 

equipment if necessary”. 

(Galway West) 

That conference calls upon the Minister for Justice to 

ensure that garda safety is not further compromised 

by budget cutbacks and to ensure that the Garda 

fleet be kept to its agreed current standard”. 

(Tipperary) 

Pay 

“That conference ensures that our terms and 

conditions of employment are not eroded during 

the current economic circumstances”. 

(DMR South Central) 

“That conference demands that our pay reflects the 

risks we face and the extra productivity we have 

been tasked with”. 


Policing 

“That conference demands that government and 

the Garda Commissioner greatly increase the 

number of gardaí in rural areas to help minimise 

the increased response times brought about by 

divisional boundary changes and ensures that the 

strength of the Force is brought up to 16,000 fulltime 

gardaí”. 

(Tipperary) 

“That conference calls for minimum standards 

be put in place for interpreters used by An Garda 

Síochána in view of the complete absence of 

vetting and accreditation at present”. 

(Garda Headquarters) 

“That Conference demands that the Department of 

Justice publishes the minimum number of frontline 

operational gardaí deemed necessary to police each 

district”. 

(Laois/Offaly) 

“That Conference debates how changing legislation 

and modern initiatives increasingly impact upon 

Garda frontline resourcing levels”. 


Uniform and Equipment 

“That conference directs the CEC to request the 

Commissioner of An Garda Síochána to issue 

each member with Taser personal protection 

equipment”. 


“That conference demands that safety 

equipment on issue to members attending 

at scenes of road traffic accidents be 

updated”. 

(Roscommon/Galway East) 

Welfare 

“That conference directs the CEC to seek 

an immediate change to legislation which 

would compel assailants who assault gardaí 

in instances such as biting, jabbing with 

needle etc. to undergo blood samples to 

establish if assailant has any infectious 

diseases”. 

(Limerick) 

Amendment: 

After the words “undergo blood 

samples” insert the word “testing” and 

then continue with the remainder of the 

motion. 

(Galway West) 

“That conference directs the CEC to engage 

with the office of the Garda Síochána 

Ombudsman Commission to ensure that 

malicious complaints from members of the 

public are fully investigated and prosecuted 

through the Courts”. 

(Limerick) 

“Conference directs that the non-effective 

register should be removed from public 

office. Records which currently exist are 

sufficient”. 

(Tipperary) 

“Conference calls for a transparent 

documented policy from garda management 

towards all medical conditions which may 

affect members of An Garda Síochána such 

as epilepsy, diabetes etc.”. 

(Laois/Offaly) 

“That this Association demands term time 

leave as a right and that it be extended to 

cover children up to 18 years of age”. 

(DMR East) 

“That this Conference demands that the 

Association examines the terms of 

adoptive leave and seeks to improve the 

provisions under which this leave is 

granted”. 

(DMR East) 

“That Conference demands that members of 

An Garda Síochána who are suspended from 

duty receive full pay and allowances in order 

that members and their families would not 

be penalised; the presumption of innocence 

should prevail and any investigations should 

be expedited”. 

(Wicklow) n 


pg8-9 GR_April09 Conf.indd 3 17/04/2009 10:32:00

network 

perils 

During the Second 

World War, people in 

Britain were advised 

to watch what they 

said with slogans such 

as ‘careless talk costs 

lives’ – the reasoning being that you never 

knew who was listening. More than 60 years 

later, a similar principle could be applied to 

the use of social networking sites. 

In recent months there have been 

numerous cases of people losing their jobs 

because of material they have posted on 

sites such as Facebook and YouTube. Yet 

amazingly, there are still those who fail to 

appreciate the risks of recording themselves 

at work or making derogatory comments 

about their employer. 

For example, Essex office worker 

Kimberley Swann was fired in March after 

her bosses were told she had described her 

job as ‘boring’ on her Facebook page just a 

week after starting work. 

Probably the best known case to date 

is that of footballer Ashley-Paul Robinson, 

who last autumn announced through 

Facebook that he was heading to Fulham 

for a trial without telling the club he was 

playing for, Crystal Palace. When neither 

club decided to offer him a contract, he was 

left without a job and is now playing nonleague 

football. 

No one knows exactly how widely social 

networking sites are used by members 

of an Garda Síochána, but a search for 

the term on Facebook found more than 

140 matches, mostly individuals and in 


They might seem like a bit of 

harmless fun, but the power of the 

internet means social networking 

sites have the power to destroy 

careers, writes Paul Golden. 

most cases with photos. A similar search on 

Myspace revealed 170, ranging from ‘Garda 

Pat’ to pages run by campaigners for longer 

nightclub opening hours, while Bebo had 

about 90 matches. 

The problem with posting personal 

information on the internet is that as soon 

as it goes online, you have lost control over 

who will see it and how it will be used. 

Pictures can be easily copied, altered or 

distorted. Previously private details such as 

your address, profession, employer, number 

of children and their names, can be gathered 

and used for a variety of purposes. 

Professor Frederic Adam of University 

College Cork is an expert in social networking 

technology. He admits it is hard to control 

the content posted to such sites but his 

advice to anyone thinking of using work 

related material or images on a social 

networking site is clear. “Such behaviour is 

unethical unless your employer has a policy 

of authorising the use of such material, in the 

same way as it would be unethical to publish 

sensitive material in the press or any other 

public forum without explicit permission.” 

Monitored 

It has been suggested that social networking 

sites should provide detailed guidance to users 

to prevent them revealing too much personal 

information, but Professor Adam is not 

convinced. “These sites have ‘acceptable usage 

policies’, which users sign up to when they 

join. I am not sure whether you should expect 

them to go any further.” 

Whether or not they are being used 

responsibly, social networking sites are 

certainly being used in huge numbers 

explained Emmet Kelly, who works for Irish 

digital media firm Net Behaviour. According 

to research company Nielsen, one in every 11 

minutes spent online is accounted for by social 

network and blogging sites. 

Like Professor Adam, he advises caution 

to anyone who brings their working world 

into their online world – and not just because 

they could fall victim to fraudsters or other 

criminal elements. “Individuals talking 

on social networking sites can find their 

profiles and comments being monitored by 

employers. Bosses can also find themselves 

or their organisations being discussed on 

pg10-11 GR_April09 Network.indd 2 16/04/2009 20:55:53

The problem with 

posting personal 

information on the 

internet is that as soon 

as it goes online, you 

have lost control over 

who will see it and how 

it will be used. 

the internet, though not typically on social 

networking sites. There is little an employer 

can do to stop this, as people are free to 

talk as they wish outside of work hours and 

among themselves. But publishing sensitive 

information, whether true or not, can lead to 

employees compromising their positions.” 

Kelly reckons the terms and conditions of 

use of social networking sites are insufficient 

to prevent employees slipping up, simply 

because they refer to honest representation, 

defamation or unsuitable content of an adult 

nature rather than discussion of work issues 

online. 

“If an employer is worried about 

inappropriate use of social networking sites, 

it is up to the organisation to have a fair 

internet use policy, where transgression 

of guidelines could result in discipline or 

sacking.” 

Over the last few months a working group 

headed by Chief Superintendent Brendan 

Cloonan has been reviewing An Garda 

Síochána’s internet usage policy. It was felt 

that the previous document needed updating 

in light of the emergence of blogs and social 

networking sites. 

The group drew on the findings of various 

research documents and the experiences and 

policies adopted by other police forces when 

putting together the policy document. 

Security 

GRA vice president Damien McCarthy was 

part of this working group and he explained 

that it solicited views from all levels of the 

force. “We specifically sought the input of 

Three tips for 

responsible 

social 

networking... 

• Be aware that nothing is private. 

Do not post anything that might 

be considered derogatory, 

including provocative photos, 

obscene language or lewd jokes. 

Anything that is questionable 

will be a reflection on your 

character. 

• If possible, consider creating 

a private social networking 

profile. Some sites allow you to 

be discreet in limiting who can 

visit your site – for example, only 

chosen friends. 

• Check your profiles regularly for 

negative information, then do a 

regular Internet search to locate 

any sites that have information 

about you. If you discover 

something that is negative or 

derogatory, find out how to have 

it removed. 

two junior members on the basis that they 

are more familiar with the way the Internet 

is being used by young people.” 

The document, which is due to be 

published shortly, recognises that members 

might wish to publish blogs and/or place 

material on message boards or sites such as 

Bebo, YouTube or Facebook in their own time. 

However, it will also make them aware of 

the security implications of their identity as a 

garda being disclosed. 

This point is not only applicable to 

members themselves but also to their friends 

and family, said McCarthy. “For example, 

many older gardaí have children who use 

social networking sites. In some cases people 

put a lot of personal information online and 

there are those who would use information 

on the identity of local gardaí, their 

addresses and family members for criminal 

purposes.” 

Advances in technology have made it easy 

for members of the public to shoot footage 

of gardaí at work and the document will 

also remind members of the importance of 

maintaining the highest levels of professional 

conduct at all times. For example, YouTube 

viewers can find very specific footage of the 

garda response to protestors at the ‘reclaim 

the streets’ march in Dublin on Mayday 2002. 

With an estimated one million people in 

Ireland using social networking sites, huge 

amounts of personal information can be 

accessed at the touch of a button. Members 

of An Garda Síochána – and their families - 

would be well advised to think hard before 

adding to this pile. n 


pg10-11 GR_April09 Network.indd 3 16/04/2009 20:55:54

News brief 

Donnellan seeks 

garda voice for 

EBS board 

Former Assistant 

Commissioner Martin 

Donnellan is seeking 

election to the board of 

Directors of the Educational 

Building Society (EBS) 

at the annual general 

meeting of the building 

society which is due to 

take place in the Burlington 

Hotel, Dublin 4, at 2pm on 

Friday the 29th May 2009. 

Martin Donnellan retired 

from the Force last June 

having served for over 40 

years. He was awarded 

a silver Scott Medal for 

bravery in 1982 for the 

part he played, while 

unarmed, in the arrest of 

armed bank raiders in the 

Dublin Mountains following 


a robbery in Stillorgan. 

Martin Donnellan’s 

focus in seeking election 

is to have a garda voice 

on the board of the EBS; 

he estimates about 7,000 

garda members have 

accounts and mortgages 

with the building society. 

He said, “In the current 

economic climate I 

anticipate some members 

may get into difficulty 

with repayments and it is 

imperative that we have 

a voice on the board to 

intercede on their behalf to 

assist them should they get 

into difficulty in this area. “ 

His ambition is to 

make the EBS a ‘leaner’ 

financial institution to 

above martin Donnellan. 

the advantage of all the 

smaller account holders. 

A ballot paper will be 

posted to all EBS account 

holders in the first week of 

May. EBS account holders 

who cannot attend should 

complete the ballot 

paper and return it to the 

chairman of the EBS or 

vote by Proxy. 

Superintendent Peadar Kearney RIP 

Michael Woods, Claregalway presented the original and recently restored RIC plaque 

which was on the barracks in Ballinasloe to the late Superintendent Peadar Kearney, 

Ballinasloe Garda Station. Superintendent Kearney died unexpectedly on 11th March 

2009, aged 46. This was his last official function. 

EuroCOP criticism 

of Irish government 

policies 

the Freeze in 

police pay and 

the introduction 

of a ‘pension 

levy’ of 7.5% has 

been criticised as 

‘short sighted’ by the 

umbrella organisation 

representing police officers 

in Europe. 

Ireland was singled out as the only western European 

country to effectively decrease police pay in order to 

achieve ‘short-term savings’. In contrast, several other 

countries, where the International Monetary Fund has 

intervened, have resisted cutting police budgets despite 

being the worst hit by the financial crisis. 

The European Confederation of Police Officers 

(EuroCOP) stated that in Romania the government has 

only frozen police wages; Iceland has managed to avoid 

cuts into rank and file officers’ pay and in Bulgaria the 

government agreed a 5% pay rise for police officers as of 

January 2009. 

EuroCOP represents 34 national police unions and 

staff organisations from 26 European States; over half a 

million police officers in Europe. 

USA: Suicide hazards 

for first responders 

emergency service personnel in the United States have 

been warned of the dangers of a new suicide technique 

in which the victims seal themselves in motor vehicles 

along with household chemicals. Such incidents can 

present an extreme danger to first responders. 

Martin Crotty dies 

retireD Chief Superintendent Martin Crotty (15230G) 

formerly of Garda Headquarters, died on the 17th March 

following an illness. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St 

Mochta’s Church on Thursday, 19th March at 11am followed 

by Removal to Glasnevin Crematorium. 

Martin Crotty was a regular contributor to Garda Review 

after his retirement, and was outspoken in defence 

of gardaí whenever he perceived the media were being 

unfair or unjust in their commentary. Ar dheis De go 

raibh a anam dilis. 

p12 GR_April09 News Brief.indd 2 17/04/2009 12:10:17

Penpro Ltd, 14 Priory Hall, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. 

Penpro is offi cially appointed by the GRA to provide advice to 

members and is regulated by the Financial Regulator. Irish Life 

Assurance plc is regulated by the Financial Regulator. 

The effect of 

the Budget 

on AVCs & 

Retirement 

Gratuity 

“The commission on Taxation 

is examining various aspects 

of pension tax treatment 

including the treatment 

of lump sums and I expect 

to be dealing with their 

recommendations in the 2010 

Budget next December.” 

- Minister for Finance 

So for the present at least: 

� The retirement gratuity payment from the Garda 

Superannuation Scheme continues to be paid tax free. 

� Full tax & PRSI relief is given on AVCs. PRSI 

relief includes the health levy and as this has gone 

up by 2%, relief has been increased by this amount 

For example: 

Pre’95 member: 46% relief 

Post’95 member: 49% relief 

As you can see from the Minster’s statement he has 

deferred until 2010, any decision regarding changes to 

the tax position on AVCs and the retirement gratuity, 

when he could make less than favourable changes. 

Members who are close to or are 

considering retirement, members 

who want to get one of the few tax 

breaks left, or members who just want 

guidance (free) should contact: 

PenPro @ 01 – 2000100 

Penpro A4 Tax_April09 1 16/04/2009 21:15:54

Crossword By Gordius 

Across 

1. See a bird strolling illegally. (10) 

6. Snare. (4) 

10. Publish, bring forth. (5) 

11. With glee, I bill for what cannot 

be read. (9) 

12. Plume. (7) 

15. Oaths may issue from this 

fl ower! (5) 

17. Flow sluggishly. (4) 

18. Conceal. (4) 

19. The scope of a morning piece. 

(5) 

21. Run away to avoid capture. (7) 

23. First citizen of a town or city. 

(5) 

24. The highest male voice. (4) 

25. Restaurant, coffee shop. (4) 

26. Waterlogged, overfl owing. (5) 

28. Painters, sculptors etc. (7) 

33. Interrogation to bury the vista. 

(9) 

34. Enticed. (5) 

35. The weight of an unladen 

vehicle. (4) 

36. One who works with granite, 

for example. (10) 

Down 

1. Enlist. (4) 

2. Twenty-four hours ago. (9) 

3. Ward off the avenue to the right. (5) 

4. Dagger. (5) 

5. The world’s longest river. (4) 

7. Ceremonial garments. (5) 

8. A preventative measure, ‘just in 

case’. (10) 

9. One as brainy as Humpty Dumpty? 

(7) 

13. Flavoursome plant. (4) 

14. A car rose strangely here in Tipperary. 

(7) 

16. Hitchhike. (5,1,4) 

20. But having these under your car 

might lead to some hairy moments! 

(4,5) 

21. Take a bow when you take part in 

this sport! (7) 

22. Birds’ home. (4) 

27. Sacrifi cial table. (5) 

29. Mountain ash. (5) 

30. Muslim religion. (5) 

31. Inventory. (4) 

32. Adam and Eve’s garden paradise. (4) 

TWO correct entries to this month’s crossword drawn will receive a Motorola K3. 

Send your completed entries to: April Crossword, Garda Review, Floor 5, Phibsboro Tower, 

Dublin 7. Entries must be received no later than Friday, 22nd May 2009. 

Feb 09 Winners 

Two winners of the Motorola RAZR2 V8 mobile phone 

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Win 

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it a stunning exterior. With Windows 

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Across 

1. Rip 3. Accelerator 8. Loosen 9. Jailbird 10. Opium 

11. Tells 13. Sleet 15. Hatchet 16. Dundalk 20. Trade 

21. Bylaw 23. Get up 24. Forensic 25. Retina 

26. Butterfl ies 27. See 

REG NO: STATION: 

MOBILE NO: (Should we need to contact you) 

Down 

1. Rule of thumb 2. Prohibit 3. Abeam 4. Enjoyed 

5. Relit 6. Triple 7. Rod 12. Shakespeare 13. Swept 

14. Truce 17. Abstains 18. Radical 19. Claret 22. Wince 

23. Guess 24. Fib 

Critical 

Message 

There are growing pressures to respond 

to crimes faster and improve offi cer 

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lone workers. In response to these needs 

Motorola has developed the MTP850 

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The MPT850 has been designed to 

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Offi cer safety is also enhanced through the 

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unit to respond to a call or to provide the 

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Motorola’s mission critical solutions put 

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pg14 GR_April09 crossword.indd 2 17/04/2009 10:40:55

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The winner of our Mount 

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The prize was two nights B&B 

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treatment for two adults and 

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pg 15 GR_April09 Comp.indd 1 16/04/2009 21:25:23

Graduation 

Graduation Ceremony pays 

tribute to fallen colleague 

THE GRADUATION ceremony on 8th 

April was sombre despite the sunshine; 

overshadowed by the death of Garda 

Robert McCallion the previous day. Both 

the Commissioner and Minister for Justice 

paid tribute to the young member who had 

graduated only two years ago. In a change 

to the programme, a minute’s silence was 

held prior to the parade. 

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy 

said, “It is only two years since Robert 

graduated here and went on duty to 

Letterkenny. I publicly want to offer the 

sincere sympathy of both myself and the 

Force, to his father Bob, mother Nancy and 

brother John, who is also a member of the 

Force. 

“I say to you, in the memory of Robert, 

go out and do your duty. The community 


wants you out there to police; with the will 

of the community. It is a sad day to refl ect on 

Robert’s demise.” 

The Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern 

greeted 263 gardaí (78 female and 185 male) 

at a graduation ceremony at the Garda College. 

Go out and 

do your duty... 

the community 

wants you out 

there to police 

graduation 

pg16-17 GR_April09 Grad.indd 2 17/04/2009 10:44:20

The Gary Sheehan 

Memorial Medal 

GARDA Ofelia Hough was awarded 

the Gary Sheehan Memorial 

Medal; commemorating Recruit 

Garda Gary Sheehan who died on 

duty at Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim 

on the 16th December 1983, and 

is awarded to the best all-round 

student. 

Ofelia Hough contributed 

signifi cantly to life at the Garda 

College, distinguished herself 

in the academic fi eld and made 

signifi cant contributions to the 

stations and communities in 

which she served. Additionally, 

she showed signifi cant initiative 

and leadership qualities during 

the training period, and gained 

the respect of her peers and 

authorities. 

Garda Hough is 31 years old 

and a native of Romania. She 

was educated at the Librarianship 

and Archive College, Transilvania 

University, Brasov, Romania and 

at the National University of 

Ireland, Galway. She has a great 

aptitude for languages; speaking 

Italian, Spanish, French and 

German. Garda Hough is stationed 

in Henry Street; and on phase IV 

she became actively involved in 

her local community and used 

her experience in languages to 

provide a service to the people of 

Limerick. 

The 

Commissioner’s 

Medal 

THE COMMISSIONER’S Medal 

was awarded to Garda Kirsten 

Somers who achieved the highest 

aggregate marks in academic 

subjects over phase I, III and 

V of the student probationer 

programme. She is a native of 

Dublin who earned a fi rst class 

honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) 

in Tourism Marketing from the 

Dublin Institute of Technology. 

Garda Somers was stationed 

at Crumlin Garda Station on 

phase II and at Blanchardstown 

Garda Station on phase IV where 

she demonstrated a high level 

of professional competence 

and proven ability in dealing 

effectively with a variety of 

policing tasks. Garda Somers is 

stationed at Blanchardstown. 

Templemore 

Town Council 

Medal 

THE TEMPLEMORE Town Council 

Medal was awarded to Garda 

Scott Kahler who demonstrated 

insight and imagination in his 

Garda Denise Larkin and family from Dundalk. Garda Mark Twomey and family from Lucan. 

approach to the social science 

studies course and displayed 

innovative and practical 

involvement in the social 

affairs of the communities he 

served. He also distinguished 

himself academically in the 

social sciences. 

Garda Kahler is a native 

of Long Island in New York. 

Garda Kahler worked as a 

police offi cer with the New 

York State Police; following on 

from this he was employed 

for six years in Roscommon 

as part of a Garda Youth 

Justice Project as a project 

manager. This experience 

gave him a great insight 

into young offenders and 

the skills required to deal 

with offenders in a calm 

and professional manner 

and played a key part in the 

communities he has served in. 

Garda Kahler has displayed 

a keen appreciation of the 

key social role of An Garda 

Síochána in society and 

has made a most valuable 

contribution to the community 

in which he served. He has 

demonstrated exceptional 

social, organisational and 

interpersonal skills, winning 

the respect and admiration 

of all whom he comes into 

contact with. A worthy 

recipient of this award, Garda 

Kahler is assigned to Mullingar 

Garda Station. ■ 


pg16-17 GR_April09 Grad.indd 3 17/04/2009 10:44:33

Money talk 

Keeping the ship 

af loat 

recession is not new, but this will be 

the first direct experience for many. 

Michael O’Sullivan of St Paul’s garda 

Credit union believes budgeting is 

the key to financial survival 

MiChael 

O’SUllivan 

Surviving the recession is on 

everyone’s mind; budgeting is a 

proven way to manage personal 

finances. For senior members 

it was a way of life – those who 

endured the high taxation of the 1980s. 

Younger members cannot have expected 

a turnaround in the economic situation as 

sudden and extreme as came upon us, and 

many have found the change particularly 

challenging. With income and pension levies 

introduced and overtime curtailed, members 

are feeling the economic downturn just like 

everyone else in the community. 

The credit union movement is one of 

the lifelines available as we have survived 

previous recessions. Thirty years ago, 

St Paul’s introduced a budget scheme 

for members that proved successful 

at overcoming the cash flow problems 

typical when take home pay is reduced. 

Young members unseasoned in inclement 

economic climates may not have been 

aware of it, never having used it. it’s now 


Problems 

won’t go 

away of their 

own accord... 

an option to assist solving some financial 

difficulties. it is increasingly more important 

for members to have a system. 

We have been running a budget scheme 

for over 30 years; people who have used 

it accept they could not do without it. 

Members account for the personal bills they 

are likely to be liable for over a 12 month 

period. They budget for this on a weekly 

basis by setting aside money to cover their 

basic living provisions – including mortgage 

or rent. 

They don’t have to worry. When the 

bill comes in they don’t have to look for 

the money and it reduces the need for 

borrowing. A simple phone call to the credit 

union will set the process going. 

Common problems are where members 

have overstretched themselves, with various 

short-term personal loans with a variety 

of lending institutions. The answer is to 

consolidate them. Consolidating loans with 

one institution can see the take home pay 

increase. There are savings to be made. 

Problems won’t go away of their own 

accord. The bottom line is not to ignore 

them and confronting the problem early is 

the best option. identifying the problem is 

the first part of the recovery. The sooner it is 

addressed the quicker it will be resolved. 

Most of our members have guaranteed 

employment and are very well placed to 

beat the downturn and come out the other 

end. You need to plan and budget to get 

through it. 

St Paul’s garda Credit union Ltd is large 

enough to deal with any of its members 

personal borrowing requirements. We have 

the resources; we have sufficient funds. 

We believe that all loans should be 

paid back over the shortest possible time, 

otherwise they cost you more. Everybody’s 

aim should be to be debt-free. St Paul’s is 

not in the business of lending for its own 

sake; our premise is to help people and 

their families financially. We are non-profit 

making and we hope to enhance members’ 

lives. All of our staff understand the situation 

our members find themselves in; they are 

or were members of An garda Síochána 

themselves. They are aware of garda pay 

and the impact of the new levies. 

We are upbeat despite the recession. 

With good financial planning we will come 

through this; our members are well placed 

to come through. it’s a fact. Credit unions 

are being seen as a better place for people 

to go for financial planning – we have all 

seen how the banks have behaved. 

We have a secure base; safer than many 

other institutions. We are also covered by 

government guarantees, but we don’t need 

these. We have a minimised risk by having 

few investments and a high ratio of loans 

to capital. Members’ money is totally safe 

with us. 

These may seem like dark times but 

there is hope. We are planning for the 

future. We are conscious the credit union 

needs to grow. St Paul’s is committed to 

providing full financial services to our 

members; including current accounts 

and debit cards. n 

Michael O’Sullivan is manager of 

St Paul’s Garda Credit Union. 

p18 GR_April09 Recession.indd 2 17/04/2009 10:50:04

IT'S A CRIME 

To Pay Too Much! 

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on the cost of your 

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• Serious Illness Cover 

• Mortgage Protection Cover 

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or email paula.mccabe@fbdlife.ie 

FBD Life & Pensions Ltd is regulated by the Financial Regulator 

as an Authorised Advisor and as a Mortgage Intermediary. 

*Terms and conditions apply. 

pg19 GR_April09 FBD ad.indd 1 16/04/2009 22:39:24

Eyewitness 


pg 20-21 GR_April09 Eyew.indd 2 17/04/2009 10:53:37

The fi nal journey 

The funeral cortège of Garda Robert McCallion in Swinford, Co. Mayo. Photo: Keith Heneghan/Phocus 


pg 20-21 GR_April09 Eyew.indd 3 17/04/2009 10:53:47

Notice 

Board 

For all you need to know... 

■ HOLIDAY HOME IN WEST CORK 

Holiday home available in 

Rosscarbery, West Cork. Sleeps 8. 

On Seafront and blue fl ag beach. 

Suit family. Seasonal rates; contact 

Mick 087 620 0903. 

■ NORTH KERRY APARTMENT TO LET 

Four bed holiday apartment, all 

mod cons, sea view, blue fl ag 

beach. 087 204 5933. 

■ HOLIDAY HOME IN WEST CORK 

Holiday home available in West 

Cork. Sleeps 8. Sea view and blue 

fl ag beach. Suit family. Seasonal 

rates; contact John 087 913 9839. 

■ VILLA IN SPAIN 

Member has a two-bedroom villa 

to rent; includes own swimming 

Costa del Sol, Benalmadena 

Vistamar H H H H 

One bedroom apartment for seven nights 

Kids Club, playground, near quiet beach area 

From €406 per family per week (self catering) 

Salou 

The Sol d’Or Hotel H H H 

Near Aquopolis Water Park and Port Aventura 

theme park 

From €340 per family per week (half board) 

All prices are for 2 adults and 2 children for 

one week (accommodation only) 

pool. 35km from Malaga airport. 

Near Nerja. Sleeps fi ve. Suit 

family. Contact 086 268 9600. 

■ SPANISH HOME TO LET 

Member has Spanish holiday 

home to let. Nerja. 25 mins from 

Malaga airport. Three bedrooms, 

fully furnished, swimming pool 

etc. Three minutes walk from 

beach and town centre. Phone 

086 842 1551. 

■ ROOMS TO RENT IN LEIXLIP 

Large double and single room to 

rent in new estate. Fully furnished 

with all mod cons. Suit DMR or 

Kildare stations with direct access 

to M4. €350 double, €275 single. 

Bills divided. 087 786 4639. 

Family Sun Holidays in Spain 

Book 

Now 

Quote ref: GR100 

Transfer 

Swaps 

www.gardareview.ie/transferswaps 

(coming soon) 

■ Member in DMR SC seeks a 

swap with a member in DMR East 

■ Member in Kildare Division 

seeks a swap with a member in 

Mayo, Sligo/Leitrim, Roscommon/ 

Longford, Galway or Westmeath 

Divisions. 

■ Member in Tipperary Division 


Roscommon/Longford or Galway 

Divisions. 

■ Member in DMR North Division 


Cork North, Cork City or Tipperary 

Divisions. 

■ Member in DMR East Division 


Meath or DMR West Divisions. 

■ Member in Tipperary Division 


■ Galway, Mayo, Sligo/Leitrim or 

Roscommon/Longford Divisions. 

■ Member in DMR West Division 


Cork North, Cork City or Cork West 

Divisions. 

■ Member in DMR East Division 


DMR West or North Divisions. 

■ Member in Sligo Leitrim 

Division seeks a swap with a 

member in Community Relations. 

■ Member in Westmeath Division 


Galway Division. 

■ Member in Louth Division seeks 

a swap with a member in DMR 

North Division. 

■ Member in Longford Division 


Galway Division. 

■ Member in Louth Division seeks 

a swap with a member in DMR 

North or DMR West Divisions. 

Contact the editor on 01 830 3533 

Please note that all ads in this section are between the two parties concerned. Garda Review and the GRA neither endorse nor recommend services in this section. 

Majorca, Santa Ponsa 

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Beach location with swimming pools plus children’s 

playground and entertainment programme 

From €270 per family per week 

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Great entertainment program and water park 

located near hotel 

From €245 per family per week (self catering) 

www.1800hotels.ie call freephone 1800468 357 


pg25 1800 GR_April09 GR April09_v6.indd NoticeBoard.indd 1 1 17/04/2009 15/04/2009 12:28:10 

22:05:35

What if? 

An angry crowd 

gathered outside 

Langan’s furniture 

shop which had gone 

bust, demanding 

their money back for 

furniture purchased 

which now, would no longer be forthcoming. 

Enraged that the shop assistants were unable to 

provide any satisfaction, a section broke away 

and took whatever they could carry. Hundreds 

of taxis lie abandoned on a stretch of one of 

Dublin city centre’s main traffic arteries whilst 

the drivers protest two miles away outside Dail 

Eireann. Parked six abreast and blocking the 

entire road, a lone Garda at either end of the 

street stands sentinel. No tickets are issued. 

Hundreds of angry workers lay siege to 

Waterford Glass overrunning hired security 

guards. Local gardaí keep a discreet distance 

and urge calm. A foretaste of things to come? 

Not quite. These little vignettes have already 

come to pass. The question now is, what 

happens if there is widespread civil disorder 

and how do you contain it? 

When a whole nation is enraged, when 

every group has a ‘legitimate grievance’ what 

is the appropriate response? Is the answer 

preventative medicine - as in good political 

leadership - or engaging in a pitch battle in 

the hope of winning the day? If the answer is 

the latter, what then precisely can the gardaí 

be expected to do? If the answer is to contain 


British police have 

warned of civil unrest on 

their streets this summer. 

Tom Prendeville asks, 

can it happen here? 

I predict a 

RIOT 

potential trouble; is a plan in place, and if so, 

what is it? 

The question was put to the Department of 

Justice whose only comment was to refer the 

query to An Garda Síochána management. 

As we are still awaiting a comment, the 

question was put directly to Gerry Rooney, 

the spokesperson for Defence Forces Union, 

PDFORRA, Permanent Defence Force Other 

Ranks Representative Association. 

Surprisingly Gerry Rooney was able to reveal 

that the army has been training for public order 

duties for quite some time. He said, “Training 

in the Defence Forces in public order, has, for 

a large number of years being going on and 

soldiers were used for public order duties in 

Kosova. They have dedicated equipment such as 

riot shields and helmets and visors. It is a green 

uniform with shoulder, knee and elbow pads. 

“We are not aware of any specific training 

or any particular plan to use it in the current 

context. However, that doesn’t mean to say that 

there is no plan.” 

Riots 

According to Gerry Rooney, the public order 

training involves mock street battles with half 

the protagonists playing the role of rioters 

armed with sods of turf. The training of the 

army for public order duties began in the late 

1960s and early 1970s. However, in recent 

months the training exercises have become 

more intensive affairs, as opposed to a brief 

one-off first aid type course. 

According to the Defence Forces, the army 

was put on standby to aid the civil power on 

two occasions in recent years. 

“We had troops on standby for an EU Summit 

in 2004 and during the Bush visit to Shannon,” 

said Defence Forces spokesperson Gavin Young. 

When asked if there was any plans to deploy 

the Army in the event of riots, Gavin Young 

tactfully answered the question. “There are no 

plans at the moment, and we have no specific 

request to put them on standby.” 

However, a report in the Phoenix magazine 

would appear to indicate otherwise. In a story 

a titled Top Brass Prepare for the Barricades, 

the publication revealed that regular monthly 

meetings take place in the Phoenix Park Depot 

between senior officers in An Garda Síochána 

and their counterparts in the Defence Forces. 

The publication went on to say that in light 

of the unrest across the continent, the monthly 

meetings have been expanded to include a 

series of side meetings to discuss contingency 

plans about ‘what to do if things turn nasty.’ 

Among the personnel involved in the 

discussions are Commissioner Fachtna Murphy, 

Deputy Commissioner Martin Callinan and 

Assistant Commissioner Michael McCarthy, who 

is in charge of Crime and Security. 

Their opposite numbers in the Army include: 

Chief of Staff, Dermot Earley and the Officer in 

Command of Eastern Command, General Dennis 

Murphy. 

What can be discerned from the report about 

the unusual meetings is that An Garda Síochána 

management intends to call in the army if 

things get out of hand. With only an Eastern 

Command officer present rather than officers 

from the Southern or Western Command, 

it would indicate that Dublin is seen as the 

flashpoint. 

Ominous 

A veteran civil defence member had an equally 

ominous assessment. 

“The Civil Defence is there as a back-up to 

the emergency services, as in the fire and 

ambulance service. But in my view, there will 

be trouble, and it will be a middle class in suits 

uprising rather than tracksuits. What’s more, 

they will be organised; they won’t be running 

around like headless chickens.” 

The idea of the armed forces being used 

in civilian policing is a dangerous notion and 

totally unacceptable in democratic countries 

right across the world, and for very good 

reason. They are trained to kill. 

History can teach us a valuable lesson. During 

the hunger strike riots that convulsed Dublin 

in 1981, when thousands of angry rioters 

wanted to burn down the British Embassy; one 

pg26-27 GR_April09 WhatIf.indd 2 16/04/2009 23:43:37

individual stood between Northern Ireland style 

anarchy and the relative peace we now enjoy. 

The Garda Superintendent in charge that 

night could have authorised the sending in of 

the army. But he didn’t. As it turned out there 

wasn’t a shot fired, and as a consequence 

the event became instead a minor historical 

footnote. 

In the aftermath of the rioting, the then 

There will 

be trouble, 

and it will be a 

middle class in 

suits uprising 

rather than 

tracksuits. 

They will be 

organised 

The thin blue line holds in the 

line of fire. Love Ulster riots in 

O’Connell Street, February 2006. 

Minister for Justice Jim Mitchell was moved to 

read into the Dáil Record: 

“The one redeeming feature was the 

restraint, forbearance and courage shown 

by the gardai in the face of sustained and 

unprovoked attacks of the most vicious 

character. The House will join me in paying 

them a special tribute for their performance. 

Despite their restraint, the attacks continued 

for 25 minutes during which time almost 150 

gardaí suffered injuries requiring hospital 

treatment.” 

Psychologists acknowledge that the 

venting of anger is part of the healing 

process. And this is no less true whether it 

is one angry person or a group of thousands 

letting off steam because they have to pay 

more tax. 

Of course there is a world of difference 

between someone venting their frustrations, 

as opposed to someone smashing up 

someone’s car. 

Psychologists also can tell us that 

dysfunctional individuals can re-imagine 

themselves in times of social unrest and 

convince themselves that they are carrying 

out some heroic deed by burning down 

someone’s drapery shop. 

For this reason, it might be better if An 

Garda Síochána marshall future protests 

rather than inflaming the situation with 

military back-up. This is, after all, Ireland, a 

nation of a thousand small villages. It is not 

the USA or the UK, both militaristic nations 

with a ‘heavy handed’ attitude to law. 

In the way of things, the recession of 2009 

will come and pass. If windows are broken, 

they can be replaced; but the long term trust 

in An Garda Síochána might not be so easily 

replaced if it becomes a lightening conductor 

for public dissatisfaction. 

The earlier vignettes involving the furniture 

shop, the abandoned taxis and the workers 

occupation showed the wisdom of a light, 

hands-off, discretionary approach. The 

approach is the essence of being a Guardian 

of the Peace, and prevented a hot situation 

turning ugly. 

Aside from the prospect of civil disorder, 

there will be more ‘pedestrian’ matters 

such as the growth of recession inspired 

amateur crime. During the last quarter of 

2008, aggravated burglaries rose by 28.2%. 

Elsewhere, the robbery of goods and cash in 

transit was up by 30% whilst shoplifting and 

theft from cars rose 6.5%. 

Another way of viewing such figures is 

that the workload has suddenly gone up by 

almost a quarter. When viewed from this 

perspective, the thin blue line has suddenly 

got stretched to a precariously thin level. n 


pg26-27 GR_April09 WhatIf.indd 3 16/04/2009 23:43:39

mountain 

The bicycle has 

returned to 

Irish policing, 

reports Bronagh 

McCrystal 


bike 

Since its inception as a pilot scheme 

in 2001, the use of mountain bike 

units has grown steadily, with 

additional resources allocated in 

July 2008 expanding the number 

of bicycles by one third. There are 1,350 

members trained for mountain bike duties 

nationwide and 486 bikes in use. 

These increases have seen more gardaí on 

bicycles policing communities across Ireland. 

The benefi ts of bicycle patrol are no longer 

in question, time has shown them to be 

effi cient, effective, well received by the public, 

inexpensive and they also provide health 

benefi ts to gardaí from the additional exercise. 

Their mobility and versatility is recognised 

as a method of high visibility crime prevention 

and they are now not only being used in 

standard patrol but also proactively being 

deployed at major sporting events; combating 

issues such as crowd control and football 

hooligansim. 

Inspector Tony Gallagher oversees the 

policing of special events in the DMR North 

Central. Gallagher said “I draw up policing 

plans for all events in Croke Park and 

Dalymount Stadium and we are now making 

greater use of gardaí on mountain bike patrol. 

A particular use for us is in tackling the football 

hooligan phenomenon at Dalymount Park. 

“There are a lot of laneways around the 

stadium that are blocked by bollards which are 

inaccessible for cars. The hooligans are using 

these laneways to fi ght in before a match. 

So the mountain bike units can patrol the 

laneways to fi nd out where the hooligans are 

gathering. It is a very adaptable and fl exible 

way of policing, covering a greater area in a 

much shorter time.” 

An Garda Síochána are initiating a number of 

new measures to tackle football hooliganism 

An Garda Síochána are initiating 

a number of new measures to 

tackle football hooliganism 

this year and an expansion of 

the mountain bike units was a 

crucial element in this strategy. 

pg28-30 GR_April09 bike.indd 2 17/04/2009 00:27:54

this year and an expansion of the mountain 

bike units was a crucial element in this 

strategy. New approaches in the coming 

season include meeting clubs and their season 

members to encourage good behaviour. Fans 

will also be ejected from the stadium if they 

do not comply with the regulations of the 

events controller (for example they will no 

longer be allowed to stand if in a seated area). 

Hooligans who are arrested will be listed for 

the same court date, which results in a greater 

impact in gardaí evidence. 

Gallagher said “As we got a greater number 

of gardaí trained we looked at how we 

could improve the policing of the stadiums. 

The mountain bike patrols have resulted in 

a reduction in crime and in greater crime 

prevention. The visibility aspect is more 

evident to the public and indeed to the people 

who are up to no good.” 

Approachability 

Garda Robert Lowe has been using the 

mountain bike for seven months. He said, 

“We can go places a car can’t and the bike is 

faster and more effective than being on foot. 

Visibility is also important. We are used for 

traffic problems, crowd control, post match 

traffic diversions and dispatches that need to 

be done quickly. It is also good exercise and 

keeps you healthy.” 

The mountain bike was initially the preserve 

of community policing and it is naturally 

a community-orientated, positive style of 

policing. The bicycles greatly improve the 

approachability factor of the gardaí. Lowe 

said “We bring the bikes to the local primary 

schools and the kids get to look at the gear 

and how it works. The kids would know our 

names from being on the bikes. We are in 

constant contact with the residents within the 

Croke Park area and we see to their needs as 

much as we can, as they are affected by the 

constant fixtures. We have a good relationship 

with them and we are very approachable.” 

But according to Lowe the greatest 

advantage of the bike is the stealth factor. 

”You can come up on people with speed and 

silence. I’ve apprehended a few people like 

that. They won’t hear a thing – even at night 

time.” 

Cost effective 

Sergeant Ray Murphy is stationed in Fitzgibbon 

Street and is another strong advocate of the 

use of bikes; he views the cost-effective nature 

You can 

come up on 

people with 

speed and 

silence. I’ve 

apprehended 

a few people 

like that 

of the bicycle as important. Murphy said “The 

bikes are very environmentally sound and 

there is a huge cost benefit – they are much 

cheaper to run than a car.” 

Murphy has been biking for four years and 

although the bikes were piloted in 2001, he 

believes the interest has really grown in them 

in the past two to three years, which perhaps 

fuelled the additions in 2008. He said, “We 

have doubled the number of bikes used and 

now have 12 members at Fitzgibbon Street 

and we would be looking for a lot more.” 

The bikes are ideally suited to city environs 

and built up areas. Murphy said “We have a lot 

of flat complexes and canal banks, and on the 

bike we can cover a lot more ground.” 

He agrees with Lowe that the six to 

seven hours of cycling per day increases the 

members’ fitness levels and there is less 

absenteeism through sickness. The support of 

the Superintendent is also crucial in driving 

forward interest and increased use of the 

bikes. “Our Superintendent Sean Ward is very 

supportive of the bikes; doubling the amount 

of people trained within a month. He sees the 

benefits and believes they’re fantastic in this 

area.” 

While many gardaí know how to ride bikes, 

far fewer know how to cycle and survive in 

complex traffic. Unlike recreational cyclists who 

can choose routes that are convenient and 

safe, members have to ride where they are 

needed. They require skills to ride in extremely 

heavy traffic, ascend and descend kerbs, stairs 

and other environmental obstacles. They must 

know what tactics to use in a pursuit and how 

to dismount quickly but safely and perform an 



arrest. All these techniques are 

taught on the intensive week long 

training course run by Sergeant 

Joe Dunleavy and Garda Morgan 

O’Connor. The two men became 

qualifi ed, certifi ed instructors 

after doing a course under the 

tutelage of the International Police 

Mountain Bike Association in the 

US in May 2006. 

Dunleavy said “Wherever 

training is required we provide 

it in the members’ own 

environment. There’s a standard 

that needs to be met and a 

written exam as well.” 

The fi rst day of the course 

is classroom based and covers 

everything from safety rules, 

knowledge of bike parts, 

hazards, road craft, nutrition, 

night time patrols, legal issues, 

bike-fi t, correct procedures for 

falling off the bike in order to 

minimise injury and position on 

the road. The rest of the week 

involves more practical work and 

familiarisation with the bike. 

“Tuesday is a familiarisation day 

to improve balance and skills on 

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The course is not a pushover. 

It isn’t easy and people do fail it 

the bike. A lot of it is low speed 

skills and we introduce cones and 

different obstacles, so if you are 

in a crowded space you have the 

ability to control the bike. There 

are certain drills you go through – 

always looking around you, taking 

in information and utilising it. We 

also cover emergency breaking 

and use of the gears.” 

On the third day the trainers 

try to incorporate every type of 

terrain that members are likely 

to encounter, so everything from 

off road in woods and parks to 

heavy traffi c scenarios is explored. 

Practical demonstrations are 

given by the trainers and trainees 

then practice and build up their 

confi dence in techniques such as 

ascent, descent, going up and 

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• Competent Property 

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Superintendent Sean Ward and 

Inspector Tony Gallagher. 

down steps and kerb hops. They 

will also do heavy traffi c riding 

and can cycle up to 50 miles on 

this day. 

Day four deals with suspect 

contact and the relevant health 

and safety issues. The fi nal 

day includes the written exam, 

bike maintenance and the fi nal 

assessment. Dunleavy said “The 

fi nal assessment is a series 

of slow speed skills including 

cones. While participants are 

continuously assessed throughout 

the week, by the end of the week 

they must have the capability to 

do the cone work. Each course is 

slightly different and is specifi cally 

geared towards the needs of the 

10 participants.” 

Garda Robert Lowe found 

it very benefi cial. “The course 

teaches you balance, how to 

operate in an urban area with fl at 

complexes and alleyways, how to 

pursue a culprit and how to use 

the bike to defend yourself. The 

trainers move around the country 

from division to division so we 

were able to do some of the 

training in Croke Park.” 

Mountain bike units are not for 

everyone; physical fi tness is very 

important in selecting candidates 

for bike patrol. Sergeant Ray 

Murphy said “The course is not 

a pushover. It is not easy and 

people do fail it.” 

The effectiveness of this 

positive policing method is 

acknowledged worldwide and 

with the continued reliance and 

expansion of community policing 

in Ireland being demonstrated; 

gardaí on bicycles will continue to 

increase. ■ 


Mallow 

gardaí black 

tie fundraiser 

CoMMunITy Policing at 

Mallow has long had a high 

level of involvement with 

various voluntary groups; 

gardaí and student gardaí 

assisting with projects, 

functions and events. In 

2008 it was decided to 

increase the level of garda 

involvement with local 

community groups. 

It was thought to be 

beneficial to organise, fund 

or assist events throughout 

the year and on an annual 

basis where possible. The 

February 

Garda Boat 

Club draw 

€1,000 

John Egan, Castlerea 

€500 

Thomas Dixon, NBCI 

€300 

Shane Carr, Trim 

€200 

Brian Hawkins, 

Kevin St 

Fly fishing 

THe CoISe Siamsa 

freshwater competition 

will be held at Lough Conn, 

Crossmolina, on Tues / 

Weds 26 & 27th May 2009. 

All members welcome. 

Entries or enquiries to 

Michael Bradley 086 810 

4809 or Declan Conlan 

086 048 3829. 

type of assistance to be 

provided ranged from 

security aids, parties and 

outings for the elderly and 

sports days events for local 

youth groups. The agreed 

fundraiser was The Mallow 

Garda District Black Tie Ball. 

Local businesses gave 

this event a tremendous 

boost through sponsorship 

and other assistance and 

the event held at the 

Hibernian Hotel, Mallow 

was a runaway success with 

tickets to the event selling 

out early; €3,260 was 

raised. 

This will assist a number 

of projects in the pipeline 

for elderly support groups 

in the greater Mallow and 

Charleville areas. 

John Parker said, “We 

Magee Bluestack 

Challenge 2009 

LeGenDARy Celtic and 

Ireland soccer hero, Packie 

Bonnar, best remembered 

for his famous penalty 

save against Romania, 

that sent Ireland through 

to the quarter finals of the 

1990 world cup, officially 

launched the Magee 

Bluestack Challenge 2009; 

which is being held this 

year on Saturday 6th June. 

The Magee Bluestack 

Challenge is a 40km fun 

group walk covering 

various terrain including 

road and hill. It is not a 

race, and the challenge 

is to raise much needed 

funds in order to promote 

and enhance the lives of 

individuals with special 

needs. This is the fifth year 

of this event and special 

needs organisations in 

County Donegal have 

benefited from over 

€650,000 as a result of the 

would like to thank the 

business people for their 

support; both of An Garda 

Síochána and the groups 

that we are trying to assist. 

Building on the success of 

the previous ball another 

will be held later in the year 

Garda Historical 

Society lectures 

Informer 

above organising committee presented funds raised by recent Garda Black Tie Ball to Inspector 

Senan Ryan for the benefit of various voluntary organisations. (l-r) Gardaí Liam Phillips, Geraldine 

Keohane, Liam Doyle, Inspector Senan Ryan, Gardaí Aoife Walsh and John Parker. 

effort of the many people 

involved in these events. 

The Challenge is now, 

arguably, the most 

important fund raising 

event from which special 

needs individuals and 

organisations in County 

Donegal benefit. 

Application forms are 

available from Bluestack 

Challenge Committee, 

Bluestack House, The 

Glebe, Donegal Town. 

Co Donegal, www. 

mageebluestackchallenge. 

com or 074 97 40828. 

on 30th October 2009. 

“We look forward to 

renewing acquaintances 

with the many people who 

attended and made the 

function both an enjoyable 

event and a fundraising 

success.” 

above The lecture by Myles Dungan entitled; ‘Crime & Coercion in 

Parnellite Ireland - The Maamtrasna Murders and the execution 

of Francis Hynes’ was held on 1st April at the Garda Club, 

Harrington Street. 


pg 31 GR_April09 informer.indd 1 17/04/2009 00:42:20

Community commitment 


Tallaght Garda Community Policing Unit and 

community groups united for the largest 

ever community clean up, with over 700 

Tallaght volunteers taking part in the first 

National Spring Clean event of 2009 

streets 

cleaning up the 

pictured (l-r) Inspector Pat Kenny; Garda Grainne McPartlin; Inspector Gerry 

Delmar; Sergeant Brian Sheridan with some children from St Mary’s NS Tallaght. 

Photos: Sean Power/PowerPix 

The clean up of St Aongus 

Parish and Bancroft, 

was organised by the 

community policing unit 

on Tuesday, 24th March 

from 10am–3pm. The 

garda band encouraged the volunteers from 

local schools, South Dublin County Council, 

the APT Garda Youth Diversion Project, home 

school liaison teams, the Stay Project, the 

School Completion Project and Tymon Park 

Rangers. The garda mounted unit turned out 

to lend support and local secondary schools in 

Bancroft Park, known locally as “The 30 Acres” 

painted murals. 

The National Spring Clean campaign is 

organised by An Taisce and funded by the 

Department of the Environment, Heritage and 

pg32-33 GR_April09 TalClean.indd 2 17/04/2009 11:06:47

above Garda Sarah Bolger and Garda Niall O’Connor. 

Objectives 

• Promote personal 

responsibility for litter 

• Improve quality of life in 

local communities 

• Heighten awareness of litter 

and waste issues 

• Highlight the importance of 

recycling and reuse 

• Enhance our countryside to 

help stimulate tourism 

• Increase participation rates in 

the campaign year on year 

Local Government. In 2008, more 

than 450,000 people volunteered 

to join with other members of 

their community to organise 

clean-ups around the country, 

where an estimated 1,596 tonnes 

of litter was collected and 35% of 

that waste was recycled. 

Patricia Oliver, National Spring 

Clean Chairperson said: “The 

National Spring Clean campaign 

is totally reliant on people’s 

willingness to give their time 

and energy to help to make a 

difference in their community 

and the results continue to be 

outstanding. 

“I would like to praise 

An Garda Síochána Tallaght 

Community Policing Unit and 

members of the local Spring 

Clean committee for putting so 

much effort into organising this 

fantastic clean-up which is a 

really positive start to this year’s 

campaign.” 

The success of last year’s 

initiative has prompted An Taisce 

to partner with garda community 

relations, who are organising a 

above (l-r) Gardaí Danny McFeeley, Tom O’Dwyer, Pat McCourtney and 

Damien Reilly. 

number of large scale community 

clean ups around the country; the 

fi rst of which was in Tallaght. 

Assistant Commissioner Louis 

Harkin said, “This initiative 

further demonstrates An Garda 

Síochána’s commitment to 

fostering and sustaining positive 

community partnerships. 

“Garda community policing 

teams in Tallaght, Store Street, 

Athlone and Ennis will work 

closely with schools and local 

voluntary/community groups in 

their efforts, to organise cleanups, 

and thus raise awareness 

of issues such as graffi ti in our 

communities”. ■ 

D Donegan 

Construction 

• one off houses 

• extensions 

• refurbs 

• commercial buildings 

free Ber assessment 

with every job undertaken 

for members of 

the force 

Homebond regisered 

Member of the ‘national 

guild of master 

craftsmen’ 

D Donegan Construction 

General Building Contractor 

Straffan Co, Kildare 

Tel: 01-6278841 

Mob: 087-1206953 

Email: ddoneganconstruction@gmail.com 

www.ddoneganconstruction.com 


Donegan A6 GR April 09.indd 1 15/04/2009 09:53:36 

pg32-33 GR_April09 TalClean.indd 3 17/04/2009 11:06:50

Swim 

for your life 

Aquatic 

By John F. ShAnnon 

AquAtic sports are popular in 

An Garda Síochána, particularly 

swimming and lifesaving. They 

feature under the one umbrella 

with regard to administration by 

the Coiste Siamsa, the governing 

body for sport within the gardaí. 

The ‘Michael Phelps phenomenon 

and his surpassing of Mark 

Spitz’s gold medal haul at the 

Olympic games in Beijing brought 

swimming into the public 

consciousness; particularly among 

young and impressionable 

sportspeople. 

An Garda Síochána is not 

found wanting when it comes 

to promoting and nurturing 

swimming and is entering a team 


in the forthcoming European 

Police Swimming Championships 

in Spain during the summer. 

This competition is held every 

four years and the standard 

of performance compares 

favourably with Olympic standard 

competition. At the time of going 

to press team selection has not 

been finalised but will feature 

top class athletes. Student 

Garda Ciara Farrell finished in 

nineteenth place in the Senior 

World Championships and 

Student Garda Sinéad Tyrell is a 

former Irish record holder and 

national champion. These elite 

athletes will surely form an 

integral part of the team. 

The squad has excellent 

strength in depth and also 

includes such accomplished 

swimmers as Garda Sinéad 

Delaney, Garda Karen Moloney, 

Garda Dave Campbell, Garda 

Adrian Cosgrove and Student 

Garda Ray Liston. All are currently 

undergoing collective training 

programmes under the expert 

tutelage of Garda John Duffy and 

Garda Liam O’Connell who are 

both attached to physical studies 

in the student probationer school, 

Garda College. We wish the 

best of good luck and ‘buena 

suerte’ to all concerned and will 

be watching their progress with 

much interest. 

In lifesaving, the annual 

Association of Chief Police 

Officers (ACPO) championships 

are being hosted by An Garda 

Síochána in Malahide in early 

June. This competition is open 

to all police forces and is a 

most prestigious competition. 

It is hoped that a total of three 

lifesaving teams will represent 

the gardaí; a men’s team, a 

ladies team and a mixed team. 

Lifesaving has a particular 

resonance for all gardaí and 

many a heroic water rescue has 

been successfully undertaken by 

members of the force throughout 

its history. Its importance 

cannot be over-emphasised and 

deserved plaudits must go to 

everybody who participates in 

and teaches this most noble art. 

The Garda Swimming Club is 

based in the National Aquatic 

Centre in Blanchardstown. Garda 

Liam O’Connell of the Garda College 

is the Coiste Siamsa Representative 

for Swimming /Lifesaving. 

pg34-35 GR_April09 SportsF.indd 2 17/04/2009 01:23:23

outdoor pursuits 

Fun and 

fitness 

for all 

the GArDA 

Mountaineering 

and Canoeing Club 

is affiliated with 

the Mountaineering 

Council of Ireland; 

membership has been 

steadily increasing and the 

club welcomes new faces. 

The club caters for all levels of 

walkers. 

The walks are generally in the 

Wicklow Mountains on every third Sunday. The walks 

vary in difficulty, pace and duration from easy to moderate to 

difficult to suit all levels of walkers. The club will be running 

a number of walks over the summer months that are focused 

towards families and will suit the more moderate hill walker. 

Away trips, both in Ireland and abroad, and more graded 

walks will be planned for the more adventurous. Some 

club members participated in scrambling and climbing. If 

you have any interest in the walks, all walkers are notified 

by text and all are welcome to go on a walk or two before 

joining the club. 

The club will also be running training courses in first aid, 

mountain skills and mountain leading. Training courses will 

be open to club members and non-club members depending 

on availability and uptake of courses. 

The club also intends undertaking canoeing activities in 

the summer months. Canoeing activities will be further 

advertised and any member interested in partaking in 

canoeing should contact the club to ensure they don’t miss 

out on the joy of canoeing and off course capsizing. 

The club intends holding a Family Fun Orienteering Event, 

probably in late May. The focus of the event is on family fun. 

It is envisaged that each team will consist of an adult and 

a child or a number of children. Each child participating in 

the event will receive a prize. The event is open to any club 

member or anyone invited by a club member. 

Anyone interested in joining the club or participating in any 

of the above activities or with any other query, please 

contact Robin Faughnan at 

gshillwalking-canoeing@hotmail.com or 087 390 0159. 

Running 

Marathon 

men 

above (l-r) Jer Moloney (Ballistics section), Derek union (photographic section), 

tom power (Ballistics section), ian redican (photographic section) and Brendan 

Mynes (rathfarnham) 

A teAM of runners completed the Barcelona Marathon raising €900 for 

the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association; and raising awareness for 

the Melanoma Trust. Derek Union, Jer Moloney and Brendan Mynes ran 

for the Melanoma Trust while Ian Redican and Tom Power ran for the 

Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. 

Irish Title for 

Westmanstown 

Bowlers 

Bowls 

WestMAnstoWn lawn bowlers 

finally got their hands on the 

Shott Cup when they defeated 

Bray in the final. Captain Pat 

O’Brien was ‘relieved’ when it 

ended. Both teams put on a great 

display in front of a large crowd 

with Westmanstown bowling 

brilliantly to win out by 17 points. 

Pat O Brien said, “We have worked 

very hard to win this cup for the 

last six years and after many close 

calls it’s great to finally get it in 

our hands.” He paid special tribute 

to Rory O’Hanlon for the work 

he has done to get this cup to 

Westmanstown. 

Club President 086 828193; Club 

Captain 086 815 0043; PRO Gerry 

Flynn on 087 922 9322. 


pg34-35 GR_April09 SportsF.indd 3 17/04/2009 01:23:28

In the job 

ALLOCATION OF PROBATIONER GARDAÍ 

The allocation of Probationer Gardaí from the Garda College took effect on the 14th March, 2008. 

REG. NO. NAME TO REG. NO. NAME TO 

26730K Adrian Murphy Gurranabraher 

33219D Brian Fay Coolock 

33438C Shane McGrath Harcourt Terrace 

33647E Denis Lordan Ronanstown 

33743K Damien Kelly Ballymun 

34081B Jennifer Delaney Bridewell (D) 

34198C James Keating Naas 

34199A Ciaran Geraghty Finglas 

34255F Ciarán Furey Mountjoy 

34267L Daniel Mulholland Store Street 

34273D Aoife Harrington Laytown 

34279C Niamh Bergin Dundalk 

34281E David Brandley Shannon 

34290D Seamus Bruen Monaghan 

34300E Kalla Maguire Mangan Bridewell (D) 

34317L Yvonne Norris Ronanstown 

34332C Ruth Healy Mayfi eld 

34344G Mairéad Hannon Longford 

34346C Gerard Flynn Finglas 

34386B Robert Rasmussen Carlow 

34396L Ciara Quinn Roscommon 

34401L Thomas Walsh Coolock 

34403F Dáire O'Regan Pearse Street 

34417F Edward Meaney Balbriggan 

34420H Brian Small Birr 

34433H William Gallagher Wexford 

34434F Gerard Brady Carrick-On-Shannon 

34435D Ruth Gibbons Carrickmacross 

34437M David Crowley Whitehall 

34438K Niall McPhillips Bridewell (D) 

34439G Jamie Dall Laytown 

34440M William Horkan Laytown 

34441K Peter King Dundalk 

34442G Brendan Hogan Finglas 

34444C Marcin Jakubowski Donnybrook 

34445A John Hickey Athlone 

34446L Jun Han Fitzgibbon Street 

34447H Jennifer Durnin Dundallk 

34448F Gordon Madden Coolock 

34449D Paul Dillon Tralee 

34450H Teresa Hegarty Bray 

34451F Eimear Cantwell Mountjoy 

34452D Garrett Mullen Tallaght 

34453B Alan Crowley Listowel 

34454M Kieran Clancy Caherciveen 

34455K John Noonan Clondalkin 

34456G Caitriona O'Leary Clontarf 

34458C Noel Monaghan Pearse Street 

34459A John Turley Mullingar 

34460E Christopher Sweeney Cabra 

34461C Deirdre Holland Roscommon 

34462A Anthony Kingstone Enniscorthy 

34463L Anne O Donovan Dungarvan 

34464H Ronan Kennedy Blackrock (D) 

34465F Christopher Daly Dun Laoghaire 

34466D Rebecca Dalton Arklow 

34467B Tomas Turley Blanchardstown 

34468M Deirdre Semple Laytown 

34469K Aidan Noonan Bridewell (D) 

34470B Laura Griskeviciute Kilkenny 

34471M Thomas Casey Nenagh 

34472K Robert McCarthy Clonmel 

34473G Patrick Dilworth Henry Street 

34474E Colin Moran Malahide 

34475C Jennifer Wallace Tallaght 

34476A Rob Sheehy Roscrea 

34477L Aidan Clarke Fitzgibbon Street 

34479F Jason Cotter Donnybrook 


34480L Suzanne Holligan Greystones 

34482F Brigid Byrne Boyle 

34483D Paul Coates Store Street 

34484B Kieran Brennan Caherciveen 

34485M Jamie Jordon Clontarf 

34486K David Earley Ballyfermot 

34487G Diarmuid Shanahan Dun Laoghaire 

34488E Ellen Burke Carrick-On-Shannon 

34490G Seamus Doyle Newbridge 

34491E Richard Byrne Fitzgibbon Street 

34492C Yvonne Duffy Naas 

34493A Tara Power Donnybrook 

34494L William Slattery Togher 

34495H Damien Griffi n Bray 

34496F Kevin McLaughlin Carrickmacross 

34497D James McHugh Harcourt Terrace 

34498B Sharon Casserly Shannon 

34499M Jennifer Keegan Santry 

34500H Shane Barry Trim 

34501F Thomas Duggan Buncrana 

34502D James Gallagher Carrickmacross 

34503B Alan Caulfi eld Dun Laoghaire 

34504M Sarah Staunton Loughrea 

34505K Kevin Mooney Mullingar 

34506G Denis O'Leary Henry Street 

34507E Una Marie Ryan Naas 

34508C Martin Folan Irishtown 

34509A Sharon O'Donnell Ballina 

34510E Lisa O'Donoghue Shannon 

34511C Eoin O'Neill Mayfi eld 

34512A Kieran Glynn Midleton 

34513L Kevin McCarthy Anglesea Street 

34514H Shane Prendergast Thurles 

34515F William Stephens Portlaoise 

34516D Kevin Flynn Kildare 

34517B Martin Hanley Anglesea Street 

34519K Eamonn Oakes Swords 

34520B Damien Sheehan Cabra 

34521M Philip Weafer Roscommon 

34523G Graham Linnane Blanchardstown 

34524E Keith Collins Clondalkin 

34525C Michael Cunningham Fitzgibbon Street 

34527L Patrick O'Malley Tuam 

34528H Graham O'Connell Roxboro Road 

34529F Kevin Hughes Santry 

34530L Ernest Pimlott Bridewell (D) 

34532F John O'Donoghue Shannon 

34533D Laura Kavanagh Bray 

34534B Carol Gibney Cabra 

34535M Nathanial Foley Sundrive Road 

34536K Fergal O'Gara Castlebar 

34537G Lorraine Mulvin Dundrum 

34538E Eileen Prendergast Glenties 

34539C Maria O'Hara Pearse Street 

34540G Gaven Griffi n Henry Street 

34541E Lydia Donnelly Drogheda 

34542C Jamie Rosney Longford 

34543A Sheila Fitzgerald Dun Laoghaire 

34544L Darren Lennon Mullingar 

34545H Graham Gohery Kilkenny 

34546F Cait Elizabeth Fleming Donegal Town 

34548B Joanne Gethins Cavan 

34549M James Young Newbridge 

34550D David Sheffi eld Finglas 

34551B Gerard Noone Letterkenny 

34552M Gavin Moran Santry 

34553K Naill Brady Cavan 

34554G Peter Devane Kevin Street 

pg36-38 GR_April09 injob.indd 2 17/04/2009 01:41:51

ALLOCATION OF PROBATIONER GARDAÍ 

The allocation of Probationer Gardaí from the Garda College took effect on the 14th March, 2008. 

REG. NO. NAME TO REG. NO. NAME TO 

34555E Anthony Roche Nenagh 

34556C Emma O'Reilly Mullingar 

34558L Brendan Quinn Waterford 

34559H Peter Daly Kil-O-Grange 

34560A Sean Kelly Finglas 

34561L Adrianne Gilmore Glenties 

34562H Daniel O'Mahony Shannon 

34563F Kieran Barrett Anglesea Street 

34564D Barry Joyce Milford 

34565B Padraig Dennehy Fitzgibbon Street 

34568G Greg Gander Kilrush 

34569E Jonathan Gallagher Drogheda 

34570K John Melia Castlebar 

34571G Michael McMahon Macroom 

34572E Shane Fox Ronanstown 

34573C Trevor Guinan Naas 

34574A Brendan Owens Galway 

34575L Colin O'Sullivan Dungarvan 

34576H Claire Tierney Shannon 

34577F Jennifer Byrne Sligo 

34578D Killian Murphy Bridewell (D) 

34579B Denis Alan McCarthy Waterford 

34580F Margaret Mary Fahy Ennistymon 

34581D Kevin Williamson Naas 

34582B Brian Whitney Dun Laoghaire 

34583M John Altendorf Kevin Street 

34584K Jamie Ryan Dun Laoghaire 

34585G Trevor Shannon Shannon 

34586E Adrian O'Reilly Finglas 

34587C Oliver O'Reilly Blanchardstown 

34588A Deirdre O'Callaghan Blackrock (D) 

34589L Paul Cogan Caherciveen 

34590C John Hanley Abbeyleix 

34591A Mark Costello Kevin Street 

34592L Pauline Twiss Waterford 

34593H Dean Landers Clifden 

34594F Stephen Joyce Galway 

34595D Ciaran O'Reilly Store Street 

34596B Jennifer Casserly Raheny 

34597M Keith Branigan Crumlin 

34598K Michelle McLaughlin Kil-O-Grange 

34599G Declan Murphy Galway 

34600D Darren Mulhall Wicklow 

34601B James Keehan Longford 

34602M Brendan Nicholas Doyle Sundrive Road 

34603K Juliet Lynch Anglesea Street 

34604G Paul O' Shea Blanchardstown 

34605E Michael Murtagh Clondalkin 

34606C Declan Brady Howth 

34607A John Jenks Killaloe 

34608L Jeffrey Finn Waterford 

34609H Claire Keehan Clifden 

34610A Derek McEvoy Clonmel 

34612H Lorraine O'Keeffe Enniscorthy 

34613F Helen Carey Irishtown 

34614D Stephen Byrne Dundalk 

34615B Aidan Virgo Kilkenny 

34616M Gareth Cunningham Cabra 

34617K John O'Reilly Ballymun 

34618G Barry Storan Youghal 

34619E John Miskella Clonakilty 

34620K Keith Gleeson Howth 

34621G Aisling Murphy Togher 

34622E Olan Keating Raheny 

34623C Aidan McHugh Finglas 

34624A Keith Aher Gurranabraher 

34625L David Fahey Finglas 

34626H Louise Gernon Balbriggan 

34627F Damien Delaney Navan 

34628D Sean Murray Gurranabraher 

34629B Brian Cleary Harcourt Terrace 

34630F Dean Bolger Dundrum 

34631D Mairead Burke Dundalk 

34632B Tomas Barrett Greystones 

34633M Brendan Connor Tuam 

34634K Karen Kenny Ashbourne 

34635G Sean Parker Howth 

34636E Kieran Moloney Balbriggan 

34637C Amanda Flynn Clondalkin 

34638A Laura Cahill Killarney 

34639L Kim Fitzpatrick Tallaght 

34640C Janice O'Neill Finglas 

34641A Brian Delee Henry Street 

34642L Gavin Drew Killaloe 

34643H Patrick Finnegan Killarney 

34644F Jennifer Quinn Clondalkin 

34645D Francis Rawl Dundrum 

34646B Alan Lennon Donnybrook 

34647M Ciaran O'Brien Ballyshannon 

34648K Eoin Concannon Bantry 

34649G Conor Cadogan Fitzgibbon Street 

34650M Ciaran Garry Pearse Street 

34651K Robert Tonkin Fitzgibbon Street 

34652G Paul Tierney Cobh 

34653E Patrick Naughton Tralee 

34654C Nicola Murphy Bray 

34655A Robert Fitzharris Kilmainham 

34656L Michael Heffernan Listowel 

34657H Aileen Fahy Castlerea 

34659D Gerard Doyle Milford 

34661F Gerard Carmody Bray 

34662D Daniel Martin Drogheda 

34664M Ciara Regan Mullingar 

34665K Claire Davis Ballyfermot 

34666G Robert Doorley Mountjoy 

34667E Deborah O' Neill Thurles 

34668C Stephen Flynn Store Street 

34669A Andrew Fox Raheny 

34670E Joy Ni Dhomhnaill Rathfarnham 

34671C Killian Foley Coolock 

34672A Eamonn McGinley Castlerea 

34673L Paul Maxwell Clontarf 

34674H Paul Colton Bray 

34675F Keith McCarthy Roxboro Road 

34676D Rory O’Grady Castleblaney 

34677B Noel Casey Kilkenny 

34678M Anthony Wharton Henry Street 

34679K Deborah Ann Davidsson Kilmainham 

34681M Helen Colleran Carrick-On-Shannon 

34682K Catherine Gunning Clondalkin 

34683G Ailbhe Byrne Bridewell (D) 

34684E Donagh Walsh Ennis 

34685C Dene O'Gorman Enniscorthy 

34686A Alan Browne Kevin Street 

34687L Ronan Duffy Navan 

34688H Anthony Kilcoyne Galway 

34689F Patrick Costelloe Kilrush 

34690L Fergus Paul Collins Tullamore 

34691H Peter Clancy Castlebar 

34692F Padraig O'Meara Wicklow 

34693D Darragh Quinn Dun Laoghaire 

34694B Fiona Corcoran Sligo 

34695M Neil Woods Fitzgibbon Street 

34698E Sean Dervan Roxboro Road 

34699C Peter Collins Rathfarnham 

34700M Gearoid O'Brien Tallaght 



In the job 

RETIREMENTS, DEATHS & DISCHARGES 

RANK NAME REG . NO. STATION EFFECTIVE DATE CAUSE 

Sergt Cornelius Horan 19714K Henry Street 16/02/2009 Retirement 

Garda Anne McGrath 34241F Galway 16/02/2009 Resignation 

Garda Rory Carpenter 33149L Kildare 17/02/2009 Resignation 

Garda Martin Farrell 18496K Ministerial Pool 18/02/2009 Retirement 

Garda Joseph Hughes 22244E S.D.U. 19/02/2009 Retirement 

Sergt James Lynch 18867M Cashel 20/02/2009 Retirement 

Sergt. Patrick Flynn 21222K Tallaght 21/02/2009 Retirement 

Garda Brendan Barrett 23626H Ballymore Eustace 23/02/2009 Retirement 

Garda Patrick Morrissey 17929K G.N.I.B. 28/02/2009 Retirement 

Garda Philip Fay 20601F G.N.I.B. 02/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Kieran O’Connor 21056M Liaison and Protection 02/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Francis Harrington 17514E Ministerial Pool 04/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Michael Smith 17511M Ministerial Pool 05/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Jeremiah Lawlor 19438G Abbeyfeale 05/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Patrick Barron 20498F Tallaght 05/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Joseph Folan 20620B Uachtarard 05/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Eamonn Mulvey 19058F Drogheda 06/03/2008 Death 

Sergt Mark McKeon 20850G Terenure 07/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Charles Dunleavy 18745C Mullingar 08/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Jeremiah O’Leary 19584G Kinsale 08/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Martin Healy 20194D Dolla 08/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John Hammond 23305F Rathfarnham 08/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Hugh Coghlan 19067E Garda College 10/03/2009 Retirement 

Supt Peter Kearney 22637H Ballinasloe 11/03/2009 Death 

Garda Patrick Walsh 21013G Abbeyfeale 12/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Edward McGowan 18345H Lucan 15/03/2009 Retirement 

Insp Patrick Robinson 19197C Navan 17/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Edmond Doran 21335G Dunmore East 17/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Seamus Mac Eoin 20532L Anglesea Street 18/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Thomas Brogan 18876L Sligo 18/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Thomas Gallagher 18299M Navan 19/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John Hughes 20619K S.D.U. 19/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt John Shannon 20665B Garda College 20/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Patrick Lyons 21245H G.B.F.I. 20/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Richard Ryan 18306G Ministerial Pool 20/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John O’Connor 18906E Sligo 20/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Joseph Durcan 19231G Moyne 20/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John Crowe 19617G S.D.U. 20/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Gerald Teague 22787M Collooney 20/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John Duggan 19938K Moneygall 21/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Gerard Burke 17896K Gorey 22/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John O’Connor 18561B Roscrea 22/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Anthony Nugent 20779K S. D. U. 23/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Thomas Mansfi eld 23549M Air Support Unit 25/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Martin Hickey 17761L Defence Unit 25/03/2009 Retirement 

Supt Patrick Browne 17961B Pearse Street 26/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt John Doyle 17846B Kevin Street 26/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Maurice Farrell 18272K G.N.I.B. 26/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Martin Peelo 20155C Kevin Street 26/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Michael Duffy 20180D Pearse Street 26/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John Costello 21313F Ballindine 26/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John McDonnell 21389F Mullingar 26/03/2009 Retirement 

Chief Supt David Roche 19746G Dun Laoghaire 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Supt Denis Bowe 20243F Tullamore 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Insp Michael Cowley 19114M Drogheda 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Oliver Cloonan 18481M Fingerprints 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Sergt Kevin Duffy 20708L Galway 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda James Doherty 18969C Mullingar 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Kevin Henry 19235L Sligo 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Gerard O Reilly 19934F Mullingar 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Paul Rayfus 19944C Navan 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Michael Walshe 20547H Tralee 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda John O Neill 21069B Rathduff Grenagh 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Terence Lynch 21609G Burnfoot 27/03/2009 Retirement 

Inspector John O Brein 19598G Togher 28/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Daniel Cannon 18661K Henry Street 28/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Timothy Casey 20222C Roxboro Road 28/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Vincent Ruane 20474K Carn Dolla 28/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Theobald Hanley 18023H Ballinasloe 29/03/2009 Retirement 

Garda Seamus Walsh 24560G Castlebar 29/03/2009 Retirement 



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April 2009 garda review xx 

Penpro A4 Mort GR_April09 Cross-comp.indd 1 17/04/2009 01:55:28

Last word 

IMPRESSED by Dana Paraschiv 

I 

arrived 

in Dublin on a cold 

and wet October evening 

many years ago; the rest is a 

decade-long story of love for 

Dublin and Dubliners. Dublin 

was my first adventure, a city 

of quietly confident beauty, 

with people speaking English with a peculiar 

accent and drinking this most bizarre white 

collared black drink; and policemen with 

protective voices and no guns. 

Another wet and cold night, walking alone 

towards the flat I had rented, exhausted 

after having poured the white collared black 

drink for hours on end and with no one 

else to be seen on the dimly lit avenue. The 

sound of a purring engine slowly began to 

break the eerie silence of the street and I 

instinctively turned my head: A garda patrol 

car; they’ll definitely stop and ask to see my 

passport I thought. 

“Everything alright young lady?” 

“Yes officer, no problem.” The words came 

out as if uttered by a person who inhabited 

me. 

“Are you coming from work?” 

“Yes sir, just finished an hour ago, I’m on my 

way home…” 


You are 

the best 

policemen in 

the world 

Last 

word 

“Get in, we’ll give you a lift.” 

I hesitated. A thousand thoughts in one 

moment. Will they take me to the station? 

“You are most kind, sir” and I got in the car. 

“Where do you live?” – my God, they really 

meant it…five minutes later the garda car 

stopped in front of the door to my rented 

flat. I got out and walked away in disbelief. 

I forgot to say thank you. I turned around 

and felt an urge to shout “you are the best 

policemen in the world”, but could barely 

mutter a “thank you very much sir.” The garda 

car didn’t move until the front door of the 

building closed safely behind me. 

Not long after this I bought a bicycle to 

cope with my two jobs in two different pubs 

where work was plentiful; the craic brought 

about by white collared black drink was 

mighty. The road from the one pub to the 

other was sinuous and cold and wet nights 

can complicate things. Keep pedalling and 

follow the An Lar signs. There it is, An Lar 

sign, but I couldn’t see the few lines under 

it, cycling fast with rain lashing down my 

helmet; something about L drivers and no 

pets. Who would put an animal out in this 

weather? 

Why were all the motorists blowing their 

horns at me? I was on the correct side of 

the road; then signalling lights and a more 

authoritative signal… It was the gardaí, but 

not to worry, I had my helmet, jacket, lights, 

all in proper order. The car came to a halt 

in front of me, I stopped beside it and with 

some acquired Dublin cockiness I greeted the 

approaching garda. 

My cockiness was misplaced, and all the de 

rigueur bicycle equipment was not enough. I 

was cycling on the motorway. 

“Come on so, we’ll take you to town”, said 

the garda after having lectured me; more like 

a teacher than a man of the law. 

He lifted my bike and put it into the boot of 

the car. I got into the back seat and through 

the dusky light I was trying to see if they were 

the same gardaí who had looked after me 

not too long ago. They drove me to Heuston 

station. The same country-accented garda took 

the bike out of the boot and gently stood it on 

the pavement. 

I love all gardaí. They are wonderful and I 

have proof. Two-fold. n 

Write For €150 

Garda Review will pay readers €150 for 

any short stories published in Last Word. 

Submissions should be between 600 

and 1,000 words, typed, on a disk or by 

email. This can take the form of creative 

writing, an anecdote or a short article. 

It is an ‘open-mike’ for our readers who 

have something they would like to share. 

Please include your full name and daytime 

telephone number. Work will be edited. 

pg40 GR_April09 LastWord.indd 2 17/04/2009 01:51:10

Garda Robert McCallion - Garda Review magazine

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