Garda Review

THE FORCE MAGAZINE SINCE 1923 VOLUME 34 NO. 9 OCTOBER 2006 

GARDA REVIEW 

PAR FOR THE COURSE 

POLICING THE RYDER CUP 

www.gra.cc

VOLUME 34 NO. 9 

OCTOBER 2006 

GARDA REVIEW 

Floor 5, Phibsboro Tower, 

Phibsboro, Dublin 7. 

Tel: 01-830 3533 

Fax: 01-830 3331 

E-mail: editor@gardareview.com 

Web: www.gra.cc 

EDITORIAL BOARD: 

Chairman: P.J. Stone 

Secretary: John Healy 

John Egan 

Donal Flannery 

Dave McMahon 

Tel: 01-830 3533 

Garda Representative Association 

Views expressed in Garda Review do 

not necessarily reflect the policies of 

An Garda Síochána, the Representative 

Associations, the Editorial Board, 

or the Editor. 

EDITOR: 

Neil Ward 

COVER IMAGE: 

Garda Alan Murphy on duty overnight 

at the 16th green. Picture by Neil Ward 

EXTEND GARDA WATCHDOG 

TO SILENCE CRITICS 

After the recent siege in Gort ended, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law 

Reform said that he fully commended and supported the Garda bravery during the 

siege. He was satisfied those members employed the least possible force and that 

‘they deserve our gratitude.’ These comments are welcomed. It is not often that 

this editorial has the opportunity to applaud his endeavours on behalf of members 

of An Garda Síochána, but in this instance it must be recognised that his 

sentiments are accurate – and more importantly – that the members of An Garda 

Síochána should not be regarded as the perpetrators. 

In essence, the Gardaí were victims of an attack by a member of the 

public.When the Garda Síochána are shot at, the Garda Síochána should not be 

constrained in its response because of the findings of the Barr Tribunal; the 

organisation is dealing effectively with the recommendations made in the report. 

This was apparent in the siege at Gort, and was dealt with by members to the best 

of their ability. The Minister was right; the members of An Garda Síochána are not 

fair game for every individual who believes they have an axe to grind. 

This was in stark contrast to the media frenzy which began immediately after the 

ending of the siege. The media tried to have their own investigative approach with 

the usual suspects lined up to decry the independence of the investigation. Let us 

be clear, the Garda Síochána would welcome outside investigation in any of these 

matters. It is not within our control now to have them independently dealt with. 

It is grossly unfair to question the integrity of those who are appointed to 

investigate matters such as this; they will approach it with a sense of fairness and 

balance. 

It is always regrettable when anyone is injured – or dies – as a result of any 

Garda action. All of these things must be approached with a sense that all 

members of An Garda Síochána regret the outcome of such instances. In the 

aftermath of these tragedies, it is extremely unfair that we are immediately put on 

trial by media who continue to criticise that members of the Force are investigating 

themselves. 

We have said time and again; the sooner the Garda Síochána Ombudsman 

Commission is up and running the better. The sooner we have independent 

investigators appointed the better. We urge the Minister to ensure that no members 

of the organisation are used by the Ombudsman’s office in the investigation of 

incidents pertaining to our members. It seems to be the only way that we can 

silence the critics who do not believe that members of the Force will properly 

investigate their colleagues’ behaviour. 

The Minister, alas, is not prepared to move on this issue. For obvious reasons the 

cost factor involved would be inflated. Policing is something that citizens of 

western democracies accept that they have to pay for; having comfort in the 

knowledge that they, as taxpayers, are given accountability from their police 

service. As a nation, if we want an independent body to ensure police 

accountability then we must also accept that there is a cost implication to this too. 

We are constantly told of the current status of the government’s finances; the 

money is there. 

We believe in the longer term that this would be countered by the increase in 

public confidence; and that both the media and wider community would have 

belief that as the Gardaí are not involved in the investigation there is real 

independence and accountability. 

The benefit for us is that we would not have to listen 

to the diatribe after every incident that every 

investigation is tainted by Garda involvement. 

EDITORIAL 

GARDA REVIEW � SEPTEMBER 2006 � 01

VOLUME 34 NO. 9 

OCTOBER 2006 

GARDA REVIEW 

The magazine is published by 

Dyflin Publications on behalf of 

Garda Review Ltd and printed by 

Turner’s Printing Co., Longford 

Dyflin Publications Ltd. 

Cunningham House, 

130 Francis Street, Dublin 8. 

Tel: 01-416 7900, Fax: 01-416 7901, 

E-mail: editor@gardareview.com 

EDITOR 

Neil Ward 

JOINT MANAGING DIRECTORS 

Karen Hesse, Philip McGaley 

EDITORIAL DESIGN MANAGER 

& DESIGN THIS ISSUE 

Layla Hogan 

ADVERTISEMENT DESIGN MANAGER 

& DESIGN THIS ISSUE 

Diarmuid O Connor 

ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION 

CO-ORDINATOR 

Amina Ferradj 

ADVERTISEMENT DESIGN 

Colm Geoghegan, 

Ciaran McBride 

GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER 

Gráinne O’Toole 

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: 

June Caldwell, Paul Golden 

Aoife O’Reilly 

EDITORIAL CONTENT 

All enquiries and submissions 

should be directed to The Editor, Garda 

Review, Floor 5, Phibsboro Tower, Dublin 7. 

editor@gardareview.com 

ADVERTISING SALES 

Tony Doyle 

& Michelle Smith 

www.gardareview.com 

Dyflin Publications is a member of the 

Professional Publishers Association of Ireland 

CONTENTS/INDEX 

2 � GARDA REVIEW � OCTOBER 2006 

CONTENTS OCTOBER 

4 NEWS BRIEF 

News round-up. 

8 PAR FOR THE COURSE 

Policing the Ryder Cup 2006. In 

terms of television audience, the 

Ryder Cup is the third largest sporting 

event in the world. The policing plan 

was a year in the making, writes Neil 

Ward. 

18 THE LIFESAVER 

Twenty motorcyclists are killed or 

injured in Ireland every week. A 

Garda pilot project offers a new 

approach to reduce this brutal 

statistic. Neil Ward reports. 

26 WHAT CAR TO BUY? 

If you have an SSIA maturing and 

you are planning to spend it on a new 

car, then Eddie Cunningham has the 

inside track. He looks at three options 

- for a young single person, a family 

and a more mature couple. 

30 GARDA STORY: 

AN HONOURABLE BADGE 

Tim Doyle spoke to Detective Garda 

Gerry Mc Donnell about his role as 

crime detective in the Dublin 

Metropolitan’s Fitzgibbon Street 

station. 

32 THE SEASON 

Members on the promenade in 

Tramore can forecast their day ahead; 

if the car parks are full by 11 o’clock 

it’s going to be busy. Neil Ward 

reports. 

40 INFORMER 

Garda stories and views from around 

the country. 

44 TRY A DIVE? 

The Garda Sub Aqua Club: Before 

the Garda Water Unit had its own 

team of divers, members of the Garda 

sub aqua club would help with 

criminal investigations. Now, it’s 

more about leisure writes Darren 

Martin. 

47 GARDA SPORTSFILE 

Garda sports news from around the 

country and sports clubs. 

51 COMPETITION 

Keeping with golf, we have a luxury 

golf break for two to give away to 

one lucky reader. 

53 PRIZE CROSSWORD 

Win €140 for first prize, €70 each 

for two runners-up in our prize 

crossword. 

55 IN THE JOB 

The list is out…All the latest 

transfers, promotions and retirements. 

64 END FRAME 

Snowballs and Lost in Translation

index 

1 EDITORIAL 

4 NEWS BRIEF 

8 RYDER CUP 

18 BIKE SAFE 

26 MOTORING 

30 GARDA STORY 

32 TRAMORE GARDAÍ 

40 INFORMER 

44 GARDA SUB AQUA CLUB 

47 GARDA SPORTSFILE 

51 COMPETITION 

53 PRIZE CROSSWORD 

55 IN THE JOB 

64 END FRAME 

FROM 

THE EDITOR 

PLANNING AHEAD 

NOTEBOOK 

When British Prime Minister Ted Heath met with the Taoiseach in 

Baldonnel in 1973 there was uproar. While the massive security operation 

was successfully executed and Heath came and went safely, it was 

apparent that something went seriously wrong with the catering 

arrangements for the Force. 

Too often in the past at such security arrangements, Gardaí had to sit back 

in embarrassment while army back up services tended to the needs of 

army personnel – there were no hungry soldiers while many Gardaí were 

left drenched in the rain and open fields with little or no nourishment for 

long periods. 

Some things have not changed, and probably never will in security 

operations. Members will still find themselves standing in the rain for long 

periods without respite from boredom and the elements; such is the nature 

of the task. Yet at the Ryder Cup in the Straffan, Co. Kildare there were 

two things that everyone generally agreed upon; the operation was a 

success and the food was excellent. The organisers deserve praise. 

While members did find themselves on duties where it was not practical to 

provide shelter from the elements, a regular provision of basic comforts 

and breaks kept morale high, despite long shifts and inclement weather. 

One of the few complaints was that the operational uniform does not 

provide effective protection from the cold and the rain, and proper 

waterproof jackets need to be explored. 

There have been enough large scale security operations and political 

protests to enable contingency plans to be drawn up for such occasions; 

perhaps it warrants the establishment of another specialist unit – a Garda 

Catering Corps? 

The members of the catering committee of the Carlow/Kildare Division 

are to be applauded for both their effort and achievements working with 

private contractors to supply good food within budgets. They have set the 

standard of catering that others will come to expect from such events. 

While the residents of Straffan were very supportive of members, offering 

refreshments and basic conveniences; on this occasion plans were in place 

to ensure that although members were standing in the cold and wet, their 

basic needs were not ignored. This was modernisation as it should be. 

Editor 

Neil Ward 

INDEX/NOTEBOOK 

GARDA REVIEW � OCTOBER 2006 � 3

Garda Inspectorate clarifies position 

on armed Gardaí 

The Garda Inspectorate issued a 

statement to deny that the Force needs to 

be routinely armed. The statement 

followed Chief Inspector Kathleen 

O’Toole’s interview on one of RTÉ’s This 

Week programmes, after a number of 

media reports conflicted on her position 

of arming all members of the Garda 

Síochána. In response to various followup 

enquiries, Chief Inspector O’Toole 

issued a statement to clarify her position. 

"I have a strong sense that the Irish 

people and, indeed, the Garda Síochána 

themselves would prefer maintaining a 

routinely unarmed police service. I 

genuinely respect that position and hope 

that it will remain the case. 

"Police officer safety must remain a top 

NEWS BRIEF 


priority and be kept under continuing 

review. I see no basis now or in the 

foreseeable future for a recommendation 

from the Inspectorate that all members 

of the Garda Síochána carry firearms." 

The Chief Inspector also commented 

on the ramifications of the Morris 

Tribunal and "understands that there 

were, in fact, four dismissals from the 

Force followed on the findings of the 

Morris Tribunal", though remained 

"struck by the contrast between the pace 

and decisiveness of the disciplinary 

process in this jurisdiction as compared 

to her own experience and knowledge of 

processes elsewhere." 

Garda Reserve 

Commence Training 

A total of 6,661 persons registered 

their interest in joining the Garda 

Reserve, according to the Garda Press 

Office. An initial group of 400 

candidates were processed, of which 

some 40 commenced training at the 

Garda College, Templemore on 

Saturday, 30th September 2006. 

Some candidates did not meet one or 

more of the requirements in education, 

medical, interview, written test or 

character. A statement from the Garda 

Press Office also said that "a 

significant number of those who 

initially registered their interest 

subsequently withdrew from the 

process at various stages." 

The Garda Representative 

Association dropped plans to mount a 

legal challenge to the Garda Reserve. 

The association had looked to 

challenge the part-time force on the 

basis of a number of legal options; one 

being that it would be poorly trained 

and would pose a risk to the safety of 

full-time members. However, the plan 

was abandoned after receiving legal 

advice that the court case would not 

succeed. 

Both the GRA and the AGSI told their 

members to process applications for the 

new force because refusing to do so 

would be a breach of their duty to obey 

the laws of the land. A GRA statement 

read, "We believe that the vetting and 

training of the Reserves is something that 

we cannot ask our members not to 

engage in and, on the basis of legal 

advice, to do so would be placing 

members in a no win position." 

Initial induction training consists of 

two days training at the Garda College 

followed by 57 hours classroom-based 

training at their assigned stations. A 

further two day operational training 

aspect will be delivered in November 

followed by 40 hours on the job training 

at station level. The first intake of Garda 

Reserves will graduate on the 16th 

December 2006 and will be subject to a 

probationary period of two years. Five 

initial pilot areas have been selected for 

the Garda Reserve: Anglesea Street, 

Cork; Millstreet, Galway; Sligo; Store 

Street and Pearse Street, Dublin. 

By arrangement with the local District 

Officer, a Garda Reserve will be required 

to work a minimum of 208 hours per 

Chief Inspector Kathleen O’Toole pictured at a 

social function at the Garda Boat Club, with 

Deputy Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald and 

Assistant Commissioner Dermot Jennings. 

year, with minimum tour durations of 

4 hours. 

It is anticipated that Garda 

Reserves will be utilised in support of 

full time members in the areas of 

station duty (other than care & 

custody of detained persons), 

communications rooms, foot patrols, 

static security duty and event 

policing. They will also be utilised to 

assist at road traffic checkpoints, 

collisions, fires, major emergencies as 

well as be engaged in community 

policing and the preservation of crime 

scenes. 

Reservists will not be deployed in 

plain clothes, carry firearms or drive 

Garda vehicles. Garda Reserves will 

be permitted limited access to the 

PULSE system. Garda Reserves will 

not be assigned to patrol their own 

neighbourhoods and they will be 

accompanied by a full time member 

while on duty. They will be subject to 

the same standards, discipline and 

procedures as that of full time Gardaí, 

along with the relevant provisions of 

the Official Secrets Act, 1963 and the 

Garda Síochána Act, 2005.

Priced out of housing market? 

Key public sector workers in Ireland are 

unable to afford to purchase the average 

house in four out of five of the country’s 

largest cities claims research published 

by the Bank of Scotland (Ireland). 

Gardaí, nurses, fire fighters and school 

teachers are unable to afford to buy the 

average house in Dublin, Cork, Galway 

and Waterford as earnings growth lags 

well behind house price growth. The 

situation has ‘clearly deteriorated’ since 

2003 when Dublin and Galway were the 

only unaffordable city for all Irish key 

workers. 

Halifax, the retail arm of Bank of 

Scotland (Ireland), published research 

which also claimed that while Gardaí 

could afford an ‘average’ house in 

Limerick; Fire fighters, nurses and 

primary school teachers were unable to, 

meaning all of Ireland’s five largest cities 

were unaffordable for these occupations. 

House prices rose faster than key 

worker earnings over the period March 

2003 to March 2006, house prices rose 

by 43% against an average increase in 

key worker salaries of 17%. The average 

house price in Ireland is 6.7 times the 

Garda salary; Dublin came in at a 

whopping 9.2 years salary while 

Limerick faired better at five times gross 

income. The survey did not include 

overtime in their equations, basing their 

figures on an average salary of €51,673 

for Gardaí. 

Out of the five largest cities in Ireland, 

Gardaí could only afford to purchase 

the average house in Limerick in 2006. 

In 2003 Cork and Waterford were also 

affordable cities. 

Ian Corfield, Head of Retail and 

Intermediary at Halifax, commented: 

"Key workers in Ireland are finding it 

increasingly difficult to climb onto the 

property ladder as house prices 

continue to rise faster than their 

earnings. Unaffordability used to be 

confined to Dublin but increasingly it is 

an issue across the country." 

Senior Management 

Appointments 

The Garda Commissioner made several 

appointments at the rank of Chief 

Superintendent due to recent or 

impending retirements and some reallocation 

of duties. Chief Superintendent 

Kieran Kenny (newly promoted from 

Superintendent, Donnybrook, Dublin) 

takes charge of the Sligo/Leitrim 

Division from Chief Superintendent 

Martin McLaughlin who moved to 

GNIB. Chief Superintendent Derek 

Byrne moved from GNIB to take charge 

of DMR South Central. 

Chief Superintendent Liam Hayes 

(newly promoted from Superintendent, 

Midleton) takes over the Kerry Division. 

Chief Superintendent Tom Conway 

moved from Kerry the DMR Office post 

vacated by Chief Superintendent John 

O’Mahoney who took charge of CAB. 

Chief Superintendent Pat Hogan 

(newly promoted from Detective 

Superintendent, Special Detective Unit) 

now heads up the Garda Internal Audit 

after Chief Superintendent Aiden Reid 

moves to DMR Traffic. Chief 

Superintendent Gerry Phillips moved 

from DMR Traffic to the DMR North. 

NEWS BRIEF 

Garda Mark Campbell from Pearse 

Street station was photographed 

for many of the national 

newspapers. Also in the picture is 

international supermodel Claudia 

Schiffer as she launched an Ebel 

1911 watch priced at €9,850 in 

Paul Sheeran jewellers in Dublin . 

Photocall Ireland! 

GARDA 

INSPECTORATE 

QUESTIONS 

RESERVE FORCE 

TRAINING 

STANDARD 

Chief Inspector Kathleen O’Toole 

has questioned whether the training 

for the Garda Reserve is adequate 

for the job they are to be expected 

to do. While her team has not been 

asked to look at the Reserve. 

She said, "I think that the level of 

training depends directly on what 

they are expected to do. 

"I would say that if someone is 

going out to perform a fullyfledged 

police function, more that 

14 weeks would be required." 

She also said that increasing the 

civilianisation of the Force so that 

more fully-trained Gardai could go 

out into the field would benefit the 

Force. 

NEWS BRIEF 


PAR FOR 

the ccourse 

In terms of television 

audience, the Ryder 

Cup is the third 

largest sporting event 

in the world. The 

policing plan was a 

year in the making, 

writes Neil Ward. 

Garda Alan 

Murphy 

(Newbridge) at 

the 16th Hole 

RYDER CUP 


The world’s eyes were on Ireland 

hosting the 2006 Ryder Cup golf 

match play tournament between the 

USA and Europe; the biggest golf 

event in the world. The policing plan was 

required to provide security for the event 

while minimising the disruption to 

neighbouring villages and commuters. 

With 40,000 people expected each match 

day at The K Club from September 19th 

to 24th, this was a mammoth task for 

members of An Garda Síochána; 

particularly those in the Carlow/Kildare 

Division. 

A cordon was placed around the small 

village of Straffan in county Kildare to 

ensure that only accredited people and 

vehicles were allowed within the vicinity 

of the K Club. In association with Kildare 

County Council, members decided that 

there should be a 2km perimeter around 

the site with road closures in the 

immediate vicinity of the K Club. 

Garda Dave Farragher worked from 

January to visit every house within the 

Garda cordon - approximately 1,200 

homes, businesses and schools - to ensure 

that every person and their vehicles as 

Garda Ken Harrington 

(Irishtown) – served with 

Padraig Harrington’s 

father… 

well as any visitors they might have - 

were accredited. 

SIMPLE COMFORTS 

Garda Tim Burke said, “We didn’t want 

any of the locals upset as it is a huge 

thing to come to a small place like 

Straffan. The cordon was prepared as a 

frontline should there be any sort of 

protest.” 

Garda Tom McTigue paid tribute to the 

people of Kildare in the success of the 

operation and for the support they offered 

to members. He said, “It should be said 

that we owe a debt of gratitude to the 

fantastic support we received from the 

population of Straffan. People were very 

accommodating and also showed genuine 

concern for the welfare and comfort of 

our members out there. 

“The Minister and the media might say 

that the Gardaí are alienated from the 

public, but this was not evident; the 

residents fully engaged with us and 

offered us simple comforts like the use of 

their bathrooms or a hot cup of tea.” 

Under the direction of Assistant 

Commissioner Dermot Jennings and

Chief Superintendent Michael Byrnes a 

planning team was established in Naas in 

2004, with Superintendent Tom Neville, 

the local district officer. 

Garda Tim Burke worked full time for 

a year in this planning office in Naas 

Garda station, specifically on the Ryder 

Cup. As a member with a diploma in 

event management he had previously 

tested his skills at Oxegen and the 

Punchestown racing festival. All security, 

transport arrangements and traffic 

planning went through this office. 

He said, “It’s amazing how much 

people have had to rely on Gardaí for 

their information about the event, even 

the Ryder Cup themselves have had to 

rely on us. We had to liaise with the road 

improvement schemes to make sure that 

as many as possible would be finished in 

time and how these would impact on bus 

transport. 

“Effectively we started with a blank 

sheet of paper and had to work up from 

that. We have worked with the K Club in 

the past at various events so we did know 

the site quite well. Most of the sites were 

identified as much as five years ago, and 

while we were not involved at that early 

stage we had to work outwards from this. 

“In an operational planning phase we 

had to look at places where we could put 

people in key positions; where we 

needed them. We had 80 Garda personnel 

per shift on strategic traffic point duty, 

many of these were on the two park and 

ride facilities and the bus corridors inbetween 

to make sure that the buses had 

a smooth passage in and out of the 

course. 

INTELLIGENCE 

Speaking on the second day of the event, 

Chief Superintendent Byrnes said, “We 

have had consultation with all of the 

statutory bodies within county Kildare, in 

particular Kildare county council and the 

civil defence, Ryder Cup Ltd and, of 

course, the K Club. 

“We have used all of the organs of An 

Garda Síochána - particularly traffic 

management - and in the overall planning 

our various intelligence sections have 

worked with agencies throughout Europe 

and the United States. 

“Our press office has been hugely 

influential in getting all of our messages 

out into the public domain. That, in a 

nutshell, is the planning that has gone 

into it.” 

A state of the art command centre was 

POLICING THE RYDER CUP 2006 

Garda Damien Shannon at a security tent that 

was suitably weighted in the inclement weather 

WITH 40,000 PEOPLE 

EXPECTED EACH MATCH 

DAY AT THE K CLUB FROM 

SEPTEMBER 19TH TO 24TH, 

THIS WAS A MAMMOTH 

TASK FOR MEMBERS OF AN 

GARDA SÍOCHÁNA 

Garda Joe Daly 

(Portlaoise) in the 

practice area 

used the first in this particular area and 

was said to be working ‘very, very well’. 

“It’s a huge event to be policing,” said 

the Chief Superintendent, “If we could 

have had the one rider, one thing that we 

are praying for is good weather and that 

might be against us. 

“The park and ride facilities are subject 

to the weather conditions and that is one 

of the areas where we have to think on 

our feet. We are dealing with what was 

agricultural or tillage land a few months 

ago and now a large number of cars are 

parked in that area. If the weather is 

inclement we have to revert to plan B, 

and while we have a plan B, naturally 

enough it is plan B because it wasn’t 

completely viable in the first place.” 

This was one of seven major policing 

event in the Carlow Kildare Division this 

year along with Punchestown, Oxegen, 

Irish Golf Open, European Golf Open, 

Budweiser Irish Derby and no sooner 

would the Ryder Cup be finished then 

members moved on to the National and 

World Ploughing Championships in 

Tullow. The management team 

recognised the support from members. 

Michael Byrnes said, “There is a huge 

commitment in terms of our people 

sacrificing leave, on their days off, and in 

some cases working 15, 16 and 17 hour 

shifts. Some of the duties that they are 

doing, particularly minding the greens 

and out on the course is difficult work. It 

is cold and exposed, and while we are 

RYDER CUP 



doing our best to give them creature 

comforts it is not always possible. 

“I would like to pay tribute to the 

associations particularly the AGSI and 

the GRA for their help and commitment 

to us. Without that commitment and 

professionalism we wouldn’t be able to 

achieve our job.” 

Tom McTigue is the GRA executive 

member for the Carlow/Kildare division 

and he was also a member of the catering 

committee that planned and implemented 

the provision of refreshments and meals. 

L-R: Garda Tom McTigue (Newbridge) Kathleen Donlan (Kildare) and Chris Carroll (Robertstown) 

ensure the nightshift are catered for 

RYDER CUP 


He said, “Members gave an awful lot 

to an operation, once again. Overall, the 

policing of the Ryder Cup was a huge 

success and this was in no small measure 

due to the sacrifices made by members 

and their families – who were practically 

gone for the week. Those members from 

Carlow/Kildare that remained in their 

stations also worked a twelve hour shift 

with no rest days to cover for those that 

were at the Ryder Cup. 

“For those working at the event, by the 

time they got home and to bed they did 

not have time to spend with their families. 

The planning of the event had been going 

on for many months prior to the event and 

many members were on site during the 

preparations. When the event was over 

many members went straight onto 12hour 

shifts at the ploughing 

championships. 

“As security operations go, much of the 

work can be very boring, perhaps 

spending 12 hours looking at a bridge. 

You are maintaining a presence and that 

is it; you might not have any interaction 

with anyone. That is the nature of the 

duty. 

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING 

Terry Leonard, Assistant to the General 

Secretary of the Garda Representative 

Association worked on a number of 

industrial relations activities surrounding 

the event on behalf of members. 

He said, “I welcome the positive 

reaction from both the public and the 

members working at the Ryder Cup. Most 

people said that this was a fabulous event. 

We would always like clear indications 

given to members in advance of if and 

when they are scheduled to be working; 

wherever possible and in the majority of 

cases we would expect this advance 

knowledge to be made available to 

members. Policing is not an exact science 

and things crop up at the last moment so 

we can accept that it is not always 

possible for members to know their 

movements in advance. 

“The one issue that is very real and 

affects all operations is the issue of 

protective clothing in inclement weather 

for all duties – as a matter of urgency. If 

you are unlucky enough to get wet then 

you generally get drowned. The provision 

of a second uniform does not solve the 

problem. 

"I must pay tribute, once again, to the 

flexibility shown by our members in the 

discharge of their duties at this event. 

This underlines the absolute necessity for 

professional, full time, fully-trained 

police personnel at all events of the 

nature." 

With all security duties, the provision 

of basic human necessities is always an 

issue. On this occasion the local catering 

committee received widespread praise for 

the quality of food and its availability. 

“Tea and coffee were available on a 

constant basis and hot meals were 

provided around the clock, both in the 

outside hotel and inside in the marquee,”

said Garda Tom McTigue, “A chuck 

wagon travelled around those on point 

duty throughout the day and night, 

providing hot and cold drinks, fruit, 

yoghurts, crisps, chocolate and 

sandwiches. Perhaps most importantly – 

some human interaction; little contact can 

keep you sane. 

“As with any operation there are good 

jobs and not-so-good jobs. We had to 

secure the teams and their entourages, any 

time American teams travel there is a 

security threat. Some of the checkpoints 

on the roads had a temporary box 

provided whereas other positions had no 

shelter against the elements for one 

reason or another; you can’t place a 

portable cabin on one of the greens. 

“There are so many positives in the way 

that members were treated. We feel that 

we are making progress in the right 

direction. These should be encouraged 

and taken as a standard for the next 

operation and try and improve upon these. 

“The quality of food and the 

opportunity for members to take breaks 

were there and these should become a 

precedent for this type of operation. The 

availability of refreshments was a good 

antidote to the elements of isolation and 

boredom that creep into this type of duty. 

Rather than being left out in the elements 

alone for 12 hours, people felt that they 

were being well treated. 

“A well-fed policeman is a happy 

policeman. It was evident that some 

thought and effort towards the welfare 

and comfort of the members had been put 

into the planning by management and 

there was a conscious effort made that 

members were properly fed. This is to be 

commended and perhaps we should 

expect this in the future.” 

Sergeant John Bruton of the Garda 

Assistant Commissioner Dermot Jennings and Chief Superintendent 

Michael Byrnes 


Water Unit was one such member who 

was impressed by the catering facilities. 

He said, “No one is complaining – and 

that is a sign that the food is good. On a 

12-hour shift it is important that you can 

eat well.” 

BLUEPRINT 

There is no blueprint to plan such events; 

there are no plans used five years ago that 

can be improved upon. The planners 

worked with a number of organisations 

and completed a number of table top 

exercises and actual exercises, and used 

this is a ‘vital database’ of knowledge. The 

planning office worked with the USA and 

European PGA tours, who have a lot of 

experience and have their own liaison 

officer; a former police officer in the UK, 

and this was the fifth Ryder Cup that he 

L-R: Garda Barry O’Donnell and Errol Boyle (both Ballymun) 

The Garda Water Unit patrolled 

the Liffey and searched the lakes 

was involved in – three as a policeman 

and two as a consultant. 

Assistant Commissioner Jennings said, 

“We have drawn a lot on this experience, 

but you must remember that a lot has 

happened around the world since the last 

Ryder Cup. We had to bear this in mind - 

but the one great advantage that we have 

is that we are a national police force. We 

were able to draw divisionally, regionally 

and on the national support services to 

push this thing through. 

“The national nature of the force is 

something that I am very proud of and it 

really shines in an operation such as this, 

as we saw in the visit of President Bush 

and in the May Day preparations when 

we brought people from all over the 

country. It’s running very well here.” 

One of the central points was team 

D/Garda Pat Shelly (Liaison and 

Protection) 

RYDER CUP 


security; and a considerable amount of 

time was invested into this with six ‘very 

skilled’ officers to act as the liaisons with 

the teams, and their spouses. Their role 

was to coordinate everything going on - 

and that took time. 

Michael Byrnes said, “From a policing 

perspective you get a lot of things that 

are happening out on the course that are 

not our responsibility but because you 

have that liaison it comes through that 

channel. If a player is dissatisfied with 

something he is going to tell his liaison 

officer and not the PGA. 

“It’s the old story with An Garda 

Síochána; five o’clock on a Friday 

evening we take over everything. 

“We brought in the Garda plan and 

built it around the community that has 

made the road very, 

very easy for the Ryder 

Cup to come in. From 

my own position I 

would like to thank 

Gardaí Tim Burke and 

Dave Farragher, the 

work has been 

difficult; there has 

been no such thing 

as an eight hour 

tour. For over a year 

we have taken these 

people out of their 

environment and it 

has been 24-7 

since.” 

Assistant 

Commissioner Dermot Jennings 

described Garda Tim Burke as ‘central to 

everything’. He said, “We deliberately set 

up a small team that could work together 

and would have all of the experience 

required…The Garda team met every day 

for the last two or three weeks and have 

been fantastic. 

“Operationally everything has gone 

very well and the cooperation we have 

received from everyone at the K Club has 

been tremendous. It has all gelled 

together very well with our government 

representative and the Ryder Cup people 

and ourselves. We controlled the 

meetings as we chaired them.” 

Again, Garda Dave Farragher was also 

praised as the member on the ground that 

dealt with the local issues; which was 

described as ‘community policing at its 

best’. 

There was a suggestion in some of the 

media that the Ryder Cup would operate 

under English law. Chief Superintendent 

D/Garda Phil O’Carroll and D/Garda Brian Nolan (SDU) in the media centre 


Michael Byrnes said, “That was a 

misnomer. Ryder Cup tickets were sold 

by an English company and naturally 

enough anything to do with e-commerce 

would be backed up by English law. It 

caused a lot of stir at the time.” 

RESTRICTIONS 

Everyone had to go through and airportstyle 

security checks on arrival at the 

event. These had to be located in large 

marquees to make sure that they 

remained functional whatever the 

weather. Gardaí were responsible for the 

smooth transit of people to the course 

and then the crowd management once 

they arrived at the event. The greens also 

needed a permanent presence to make 

sure that they were protected. 

For several weeks prior to the event, 

dedicated patrols were carried out both 

In the K Club itself, members provide security for the two teams and their spouses. 

Back L-R: D/Garda Enda Coleman (Naas); Garda Chris Walsh (Celbridge); Garda 

Martin C Long (Naas) and Garda Pat Nangle (Maynooth) Front L-R: D/Garda Dave 

Hanrahan (Naas); D/Garda Liam Dolan (Naas) and D/Sergeant Des McHale (Naas) 

inside and outside of the venue and these 

were continued throughout the week of 

play. The players’ security was a priority 

and this frontline security ‘had to be 

visible’. Both a covert and overt 

presence was within the club - as well as 

‘spotters’ to make sure that no one was 

there who shouldn’t be there. 

The number and size of any bags 

taken to the course itself were subject to 

restrictions and on match days 

unauthorized cameras and mobile 

phones were prohibited to minimise any 

disruption to the players. 

The plan was designed to a rigid 

framework, but arrangements were made 

to allow a certain amount of flexibility 

and alternative arrangements. The Parish 

Priest was consulted regarding any 

weddings or christenings booked in the 

area; but plans were in place should 

there have been a sudden death within 

the cordon. The church also altered some 

of the service times to accommodate the 

plan; especially on the final Sunday 

when most people were expected to 

attend the golf. 

Garda Tim Burke said, “We have tried 

to plan for as many eventualities as 

possible…Everything to do with the 

Ryder Cup has channelled through me at 

some stage. We have worked as a very 

close knit group throughout the planning 

stage. It’s been a great experience and a 

RYDER CUP 


great challenge. This event has been huge 

and it’s an incredible experience. 

“We have had assistance from the 

national support units, the DMR and 

regional traffic units, the ERU and DMR 

Traffic are doing all of the player escorts. 

Local traffic units are patrolling the 

national routes. The Garda Press Office 

has helped out as well. I would literally 

say that every facet of the force has been 

involved in the operation. 

“Liaison and protection, crime and 

security, strategic services and of course 

the telecommunications have been vast for 

the CCTV, telecommunications for the 

event; phones, faxes, radios and loud 

halers. Mapping, ballistics and 

photographic sections have been 

supporting SDU for 

the purposes of 

searching the media. 

The Garda Air 

Support Unit 

helicopter has been 

used for traffic 

management and to 

supply a video 

downlink. 

“The Garda Water 

Unit has done a great 

job searching all of the 

rivers and the lakes 

around here, to make sure 

that no devices were 

planted previously and the 

Garda Dog Unit is 

providing daily searches along with our 

divisional search team. The Garda Dog 

Unit were also doing general patrols as 

well as having explosives dogs on site in 

case of any suspicious packages.” 

THREAT ASSESSMENT 

Members from Carlow/Kildare were 

joined by members from throughout the 

rest of the eastern region, the DMR and 

the south east region. Members from as 

far as Louth down to Waterford/Kilkenny 

were deployed. 

Garda Tim Burke said, “It’s not as big 

as May Day, but operationally we have 

close to 600 Gardaí per day; 300 on each 

12-hour shift on-site with additional time 

for travelling. Around 150 per day were 

detailed to traffic management. We needed 

to have enough to cover and a few spare 

for contingency plans. 

“The threat assessment for the event 

was quite low.” 

A press statement from the Garda Press 

Office said that An Garda Síochána was 

Garda Brendan 

Corcoran (Maynooth) 

– food village 

Garda Tim Burke (Naas) spent a year in the planning office preparing 

for the Ryder Cup 


fully prepared for a 

successful Ryder Cup and 

while maintaining a lowkey 

policing presence at 

the event, the force was 

not expecting any 

policing problems. It was also keen to 

stress to local people throughout county 

Kildare that policing would not be 

affected by the staffing of 

the event. This proved to be 

a fair assessment. 

The operation was summed 

up by the man in overall 

charge of the policing, when 

Assistant Commissioner 

Dermot Jennings said, “This is 

probably the biggest sporting 

event this country will ever see. 

It is the third biggest in the 

world and I don’t think that we 

are as likely to host the 

Olympics or the World Cup.” GR 

Garda Greg Fogarty (Naas) and Sergeant Kieran McCarthy survey the 

catering in the Garda marquee on the course 

Garda Paul Mayock (Celbridge) outside of the command centre in 

the K Club – driving ‘Garda 3’ 

RYDER CUP 


THE LIFESAVER 

Twenty motorcyclists 

are killed or injured 

in Ireland every 

week. A Garda pilot 

project offers a new 

approach to reduce 

this brutal statistic. 

Neil Ward reports. 

Motorcyclists are 

disproportionately 

represented in the death 

statistics. Only 2% of the 

registered vehicles on the roads are 

motorcycles, yet account for 13.8% road 

deaths. The motorcyclists themselves 

might claim that poor driving by other 

road users is primarily to blame; but more 

than two out of every five deaths result 

from single vehicle collisions. 

Garda Kevin McNulty, himself a 

motorcyclist, believes that many riders 

need professional, formalised training – 

and that the Gardaí have the 

infrastructure, experience and status that 

can bridge the gap between the 

motorcycling community and the training 

organisations. 

BIKE SAFE 


BACK TO BASICS 

Kevin McNulty points out that, “Seven 

out of 10 motorcyclists have never 

received any basic training. There is no 

compulsory motorcycle training in this 

country. You can buy a bike and off you 

go, yet to drive one safely there are 

several skills involved that need to be 

mastered. 

“We have recently launched the Bike 

Safe scheme that has proved successful in 

the UK; where it has been a police-led 

initiative to encourage education – and 

aims to address the particular problems 

of motorcycling fatalities and serious 

injuries by encouraging motorcyclists to 

take tuition.” 

“SEVEN OUT OF 10 

MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE 

NEVER RECEIVED ANY 

BASIC TRAINING. THERE 

IS NO COMPULSORY 

MOTORCYCLE TRAINING 

IN THIS COUNTRY” 

Bike Safe has been launched in Ireland 

by the Garda Road Safety Unit’s Kevin 

McNulty who joined the unit in March 

2006, having been a motorcyclist in the 

DMR Traffic Division for the last 13 

years. He became aware of the initiative 

in 2000, though it has existed in 47 

police forces in the UK for some time 

and in different formats; but only recently 

introduced as a pilot study by An Garda 

Síochána; being formally announced at 

the Bike Show in March 2006 

Kevin McNulty said, “We have been 

pleasantly surprised by the response from 

the motorcycling community. After the 

launch, we received over 400 applications 

to the scheme, which invites 

motorcyclists to come into the traffic unit 

on a Saturday morning and have their 

skills assessed by a trained and 

operational Garda motorcyclist. We have 

taken a low-key approach and we have 

had an overwhelming response. Word of 

mouth will create a greater demand for 

it.” 

RAISING STANDARDS 

The Bike Safe scheme involves 

motorcyclists having a one-to-one 

assessment of their motorcycling skills 

and safety by an advanced Garda 

motorcyclist. This involves a drive on 

public roads (currently one of two routes 

from Dublin Castle out through west 

Dublin) where the Garda motorcyclist 

follows and observes the rider, before 

giving them feedback and a formal 

assessment. It is not an examination or a 

test, just a means of assessing their skills 

and providing an objective evaluation. 

It is time consuming and intensive, as

it is a one-to-one assessment. On a 

Saturday, four members of the traffic unit 

make their motorcycles available and will 

complete four assessments each, so on a 

full day 16 members of the motorcycle 

community will have a story to tell on 

their skills and how they can progress 

them. It is hoped that they will share this 

information with others and spread the 

message of training. 

There is no pass or fail, but a standard. 

If members feel that people have 

achieved that standard then they present 

them with a certificate to that effect. 

Around a third don’t reach that standard 

on the day. 

McNulty said, “We see this as a 

process and that we have highlighted a 

problem with that person’s riding. It is 

then up to them whether they go away 

and address that and they are more than 

welcome to come back to us at a later 

stage. The framework is to get people to 

consider tuition. Bike Safe is just the first 

step. 

WHEELS OF CHANGE 

“Skills involved in riding a 

motorcycle including the ability to make 

it stand up on just two wheels. 

Those who haven’t 

ridden a bike before 

will find many 

differences from 

driving a car – there is 

a minimum speed to 

keep a bike upright 

when cornering. 

There are many skills 

in life where people are 

happy to take lessons; golf 

for instance. When it 

Garda Kevin McNulty 

comes to driving in particular, few people 

are prepared to take additional training – 

and people are slow to accept someone 

else’s opinion on their driving – it’s 

almost like a sleight on your character. 

With this in mind we have to be very 

careful how we tell people about their 

riding.” 

Some things are 

hazards to 

motorcyclists that 

would not be a 

hazard to other road 

users; manhole 

covers and white 

lines are examples. 

Wet cobblestones 

are like ice to a 

motorcyclist. 

There are many 

things to 

consider beyond 

those that 

would occur to 

a car driver. 

Motorcyclists don’t 

readily get themselves into the best 

positions and certainly don’t use the full 

width of the road. The line that they take 

going into a bend can affect their 

visibility to oncoming traffic and the 

opportunity to see what is ahead. On a 

right hand bend they should be towards 

the left hand side of the road, and vice 

versa, to get the best possible view of 

what is around the corner. 

“SKILLS INVOLVED IN 

RIDING A MOTORCYCLE 

INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO 

MAKE IT STAND UP ON JUST 

TWO WHEELS” 

McNulty said, “We find that people are 

not particularly good at identifying 

hazards. We try to get people to think 

progressively about this. When people do 

identify hazards they do not always react 

to them. The best place for a hazard is 

behind you.” 

OLD HABITS, NEW PRACTICE 

Motorcyclists are encouraged 

to do what Gardaí in the road safety unit 

call a ‘lifesaver’, which is a look 

over the shoulder; a mirror only offers a 

very limited view of what is going on 

behind. Before changing direction or 

dealing with situations like a speed limit 

area, this should be done – but members 

find that even people who have done 

some training tend not to apply this 

BIKE SAFE 


in the right places, and either do it too 

often or too little. 

People on the assessments are 

encouraged to drive in the way that 

they would normally. If someone is doing 

something regarded by the members as 

inherently dangerous then that will 

not be let go – but they are mindful that 

they do not want to get sucked in to 

heavy-duty training of the motorcyclists. 

The job on these occasions is to highlight 

people’s strengths as much as their 

weaknesses. 

An Garda Síochána is not a training 

organisation and neither should it be, 

says McNulty. “We have something of 

real benefit to people; we have up to one 

hundred fully trained, advance 

motorcyclists here, with a considerable 

amount of experience. 

They way that Gardaí are trained to 

ride motorcycles is through a worldrecognised 

system; which most of the 

police forces certainly in the west would 

accept. The Garda Road Safety Unit 

initially anticipated that a few people 

might disagree with their comments, but 

this has not happened. They are keen that 

people do not leave their assessment 

thinking that this was a negative 

experience. 

Kevin Morrissey (25) from Clontarf in 

Dublin found it a very positive 

experience. After attending one of the 

Saturday morning assessments in Dublin 

Castle, he said, “I would recommend this 

to anyone else. Some of my mates ride 

motorcycles; those that have had training 

seem to come off less than those that 

haven’t. “I had some training about a 

year ago and I’ve obviously forgotten a 

little of that, which was pointed out to 

me. I had to check my mirrors more than 

I usually would which was a bit 

BIKE SAFE 


distracting – but it was definitely 

worthwhile. I will change my road 

positions at junctions so that I am more 

visible to car drivers.” 

For the general public, motorcycling 

can often be a solitary pursuit and they 

would not have regular interaction with 

someone able or willing to appraise their 

skills or their lack of particular 

competencies. 

McNulty said, “We ride in a certain 

environment here. If any member of the 

DMR Traffic Unit was weak in any one 

of their skills they would soon be 

highlighted by an escort duty or the like; 

and it wouldn’t be tolerated. 

“We have a wealth of experience and 

the benefit of basic training, advanced 

training, escort training and 

familiarisation courses. In our interaction 

with the public, as it is a one-to-one 

assessment, they see us as motorcyclists 

first and Gardaí second. They have a 

respect for what we do and the standard 

of motorcycling that we are expected to 

have. It is a highly skilled job – 

especially when performing escorts. 

They know that we are battling with the 

same elements as them every day of the 

week. 

“People come here with an open mind; 

for some it might be unnerving to be 

riding along with a Garda motorcyclist in 

close pursuit.” 

The debriefing after the ride, a member of the public has their skills 

evaluated by a Garda advanced motorcyclist 

“PEOPLE COME HERE WITH 

AN OPEN MIND; FOR SOME 

IT MIGHT BE UNNERVING TO 

BE RIDING ALONG WITH A 

GARDA MOTORCYCLIST IN 

CLOSE PURSUIT” 

OPEN TO ALL 

A wide range of people have attended 

the assessments. At the outset it was 

decided to open it to all comers. There 

are obviously some target groups that 

members would like to encourage to 

come. Wherever Bike Safe exists they 

have always found that the safe, mature 

motorcyclists are keen to attend; and 

they will spread the message to the 

motorcycling community. 

Bike safe aims to preserve life and 

property. Obviously, a young male on a 

sports bike is in the high-risk category 

and members would like to see them 

coming to Bike Safe, but experience 

from the UK suggests that they may be 

slow in coming. But Bike Safe has a 

history, and it has been effective as a 

product in other jurisdictions. If it is run 

effectively, eventually they will come. 

Initially Kevin McNulty was 

disappointed with the age profile 

attending the scheme, but is a 40+ life 

any less valuable than a 20-year-old? 

Bike Safe also operates as a public 

relations exercise to the motorcycling 

community. They can see Gardaí as 

experienced riders themselves who are 

putting something back into the 

community, rather than just as enforcers 

of legislation.

SALVAGING LIFE 

Police Forces around the world have 

accepted that road deaths can be reduced 

only by better engineering, enforcement 

and education. Without initiatives like 

Bike Safe we have a situation where we 

have a large ‘E’ for Enforcement and a 

very small ‘e’ for education. 

Police have generally always had a bad 

press within any motorcycling 

communities – as they see themselves as 

a target for police attention. Police forces 

in the UK have found that offering 

education more or less as much as they 

offer enforcement is needed to encourage 

safer driving. If the aim of enforcement 

is also to lower road deaths and not to 

generate finance for the government then 

education and enforcement must work 

together. 

If the current road fatalities are to be 

successfully lowered in Ireland, it is 

logical that this course must be accepted 

here. People in the UK are familiar with 

Bike Safe as a product, whereas here 

they are not; participants have to be 

briefed on what to expect of their 

assessment – that Gardaí are not teaching 

or training them. 

Bike Safe is very much a pilot study 

and is financed from the Garda Vote. But 

if cost became an issue, then there is no 

reason that it could not become selffinancing 

as it is in many parts of the 

UK. Kevin McNulty is working on the 

scheme often for seven days a week to 

get it up and running. He has had one 

weekend off since March. He is keen to 

see it become an all-Ireland scheme; on 

an island basis. 

He said, “We have the structure in 

place as we have advanced motorcyclists 

all over the country. In Northern Ireland 

there is a national co-ordination centre 

where appointments can be made. Again, 

this raises the consistency issue – we 

have to ensure that assessments are the 

same wherever in the country they occur. 

We have a standard assessment sheet that 

is self-explanatory and riders are 

assessed on a 1 to 5 on their skill levels. 

We have had considerable assistance 

from the Police Service of Northern 

Ireland (PSNI) has been running a 

successful Bike Safe scheme for nine 

years. 

“The UK scheme has an advantage in 

that at particular events each Force can 

help out as they are in the same 

jurisdiction. Unfortunately, we cannot 

commit to this level as we are outside of 

this jurisdiction. 

“I would like to see Bike Safe become 

more permanent in association with other 

road safety organisations. The local 

authority (South County Dublin) has 

provided 200 high-visibility jackets with 

the Bike Safe logo on them. This is a 

nice initiative – we can encourage them 

to make themselves more visible and 

then we can give them one to take 

away.” 

Some UK Forces employ civilians 

full-time to administrate Bike Safe, and 

employ instructors to complete the 

assessment; but it remains a police-led 

initiative. In the UK they have sponsors 

to help fund the scheme. Bike Safe could 

be run at a profit. 

“PEOPLE COME HERE WITH 

AN OPEN MIND; FOR SOME 

IT MIGHT BE UNNERVING TO 

BE RIDING ALONG WITH A 

GARDA MOTORCYCLIST IN 

CLOSE PURSUIT” 

EGALESE 

There are legal issues that have to be 

observed carefully; during the 

assessment members cannot tell anyone 

where they should be on the road or give 

any direction. For this reason there are 

have radio communications with the 

member of the public who is being 

assessed. 

To cover them legally, Gardaí have to 

say to people; ‘you are riding your bike 

at your own pace and we are just 

L-R: Gardaí Maurice Gallagher and Daragh Gleeson from DMR Traffic 

assessing that’. They do not give any 

instruction – apart from some indication 

of the direction to take; if the Garda 

wants the biker to turn right, he will put 

on his indicator. These are issues 

regarding liability, so members keep a 

safe distance and observe. 

Kevin McNulty is very proud of and 

grateful to his colleagues who swap their 

shifts in order to be available for the 

initiative on a Saturday. “I have been 

particularly impressed by my 

colleagues’ commitment to this,” he 

asserts. “It’s a long day, starting at 

8.30am on a Saturday morning. Often 

they might be asked to swap their shifts 

to provide this scheme several Saturdays 

in a row. The day does not finish until 

after 5pm. 

“We want people to come here and 

have a pleasant experience so that they 

can go away having learned something 

that may save their life. We want them 

to have enjoyed themselves so that they 

start to play a role in the safe biking 

strategy. We get emails in here everyday 

praising the work that we are doing. 

That rubs of on the members and keeps 

them going – there’s job satisfaction in 

that.” 

Garda Daragh Gleeson is one of the 

Garda motorcyclists from the DMR 

Traffic Unit who carry out the 

assessments. He concluded, “A bike over 

500cc used to be uncommon in Ireland. 

We are living in more affluent times and 

there are plenty of bigger bikes around 

now. A powerful bike is a lethal weapon; 

training should not be optional. Riders 

can go out unaccompanied. In a car you 

might slip a gear – but a bike is more 

dangerous.” GR 

Ireland has the highest mortality rate 

for motorcyclists in Europe; 1.5 per 

1000. Motorcyclists accounted for 29% 

of road fatalities in the DMR last year. 

BIKE SAFE 


If you have an SSIA 

maturing and you are 

planning to spend it 

on a new car, then 

Eddie Cunningham 

has the inside track. 

He looks at three 

options - for a young 

single person, a 

family and a more 

mature couple. 

Toyota Yaris 

MOTORING 


what car 

TO BUY? 

YOUNG SINGLE PERSON 

The car: a compromise between good 

value and some performance. 

I am assuming you have, or will have, an 

SSIA windfall of around €20,000 to 

spend on a hatchback; I’m afraid 

€20,000 gets you little enough that’s 

decent to drive and equipped to a 

reasonable level these days but I have a 

few ideas for you. 

I was more than surprised as I trawled 

through the price lists to find how many 

models are outside this range. So let’s 

allow a little leeway by lobbing in a 

contingency €5,000 that you could lay 

your hands on. We can still find good 

value for around €15,000 to €20,000 but 

the extra bit of insurance is no harm. 

My main priority is value for money. 

That means reasonable price, moderate 

running costs and good trade-in values. 

Younger buyers can be swayed by the 

glitz and glamour of newness. Always 

look at the downside of a 2-litre petrol 

engine and what the market 

will pay in three 

years time. 

On my visits to showrooms as part of 

the Irish Independent’s Garage Watch 

team, I increasingly find a reluctance to 

take certain cars as trade-ins. That 

reluctance is reflected in the price we’re 

quoted. It is dead easy to lose €10,000 

on a moderate car in three years. That’s 

half your SSIA money. 

I’ve also decided to carve the field into 

two: small-family hatchbacks and larger 

superminis. 

Small-family hatchbacks are included 

because a lot of single people prefer the 

additional space and carrying ability. And 

just because you’re single doesn’t mean 

you can’t have family and friends along. 

Also up for consideration are some 

excellent, and much more reasonably 

priced, superminis. These include the 

likes of the Toyota Yaris, Fiat Grand 

Punto, Suzuki Swift, Ford Fiesta, Honda 

Jazz, Mazda2, Mitsubishi Colt, Nissan 

Micra, Peugeot 206/207, Skoda Fabia 

and VW Polo. 

CLOSE CALL 

The Micra and Peugeot 206/207 are 

hugely popular with the ladies. The 

Punto is well priced, the Colt 

surprisingly roomy and the Jazz 

exceptionally well finished, if overly 

expensive. But in my book it comes 

down to the 1.3-litre version of the 

much-improved Yaris, the Polo 

and the highly successful Suzuki 

Swift. 

I think, on balance, the Yaris is the 

supermini choice. It’s bigger, better, 

rock solid on trade in and won’t give 

trouble. But it’s a close call, so feel 

free to sample the others.

At the 

expensive 

end of the larger 

hatchback scale, 

there is the Audi A3. 

It breaches our extracash 

ceiling unless bargaining ability can 

sneak it in under the radar. It might be 

worth the effort. It is neat, sturdy and 

well built. The latter is hugely important 

because lots of young people are 

involved in accidents and the better the 

car the lower the risk of serious injury or 

worse. As well as that, the A3 fulfils a 

major wish: it is fashionable and has a 

certain cachet. 

The VW Golf 3dr is something similar 

in terms of build quality and, like the 

Audi, is a second-hand in demand. And 

the Ford Focus retains a lot of charm – 

the 3dr comes in under the €20,000 

mark with the 5dr just over. 

There is a long list of alternatives – 

from the Alfa 147 to the SEAT Leon – 

all worthy of inclusion. But a car that is 

really neither hatchback nor supermini in 

the strict sense is the one I can see 

heading the list. It’s the MINI. A bit over 

the €20,000 mark but a real attractive 

buy for the about-town single. It has a 

special feel to it, goes grand and holds it 

value better than anything. 

It’s a tad pricey, but pretty, fashionable 

and saleable. And it makes its own 

little statement. So the head says the 

Yaris; the heart says the MINI. Not a 

bad choice. 

LOW-MILEAGE FAMILY 

The car: reasonable price, practical 

comfort 

I think the best value on the market is the 

Skoda Octavia. For anyone who doesn’t 

do much more than use a car for the 

shopping, taking the children to school 

and visiting family or friends down the 

country or up in the city at the weekends, 

it ticks a lot of boxes. 

First off, its price is exactly where we 

want it to be for our SSIA money (the 

1.6 starts at around €20,000). Secondly, 

it has plenty of room for five adults and a 

boot well capable of taking their luggage. 

Thirdly, it is well regarded in the trade, 

so you will get a decent trade in. And 

with a 1.4-litre as well as 1.6-litre petrol 

engine at the lower end of the price 

scale, running costs will be reasonable. 

BITE THE BULLET 

This is based largely on the Volkswagen 

Golf but is a lot roomier and has a huge 

boot. However, I had to bite the bullet on 

some excellent contenders. These include 

the Toyota Avensis, barely creeping in 

under €25,000. This is a great car and 

looks the part but is thousands more 

expensive than the Octavia and is 

probably too much car for what we want 

here anyway. The same goes for the likes 

of the VW Passat, Opel Vectra, Mazda6 

and so on. Big, popular family/fleet cars. 

And there’s the smaller, old reliable, 

Toyota Corolla. Not as roomy as the 

Octavia and a bit expensive, but you are 

assured of one of the lowest running 

costs and highest trade-in values around. 

If you’re going to do bigger mileage 

then the Corolla 

1.4-litre diesel is 

worthy of serious 

Mini One D 

consideration. It 

has peppy petrol 

performance and still 

does 50mpg. In a few years’ time, this 

will get you decent money as a trade in. 

The big drawback is the price. I think it 

is horrendous. Nearly €23,000 for the 

diesel undermines its argument. 

The Octavia overwhelms it on price, 

size, room, looks and boot. 

So what else could you have? The 

Ford Focus is the best driving car in this 

bracket. A superb chassis means even I 

feel I’m doing well on corners. But they 

lost a lot of the cutting edge looks of the 

old one. I’d buy it for its handling, and 

its nice cabin above the other two. But 

the Octavia beats it on basic good value 

and the Corolla on trade in. 

Others I considered included the 

Peugeot 307, Seat Toledo, and Honda 

Civic (just too expensive). 

The Mazda 3 is not a bad 

consideration either though its cabin is 

not the roomiest. And the Opel Astra is 

often overlooked because of the 

blindingly bland old one. This is much, 

much better. A smart car with real good 

looks; is good to drive and well priced. 

But again it trails the Octavia on space 

and value and the Corolla on consistency. 

So it’s the Skoda. 

MATURE COUPLE 

The car: bit of prestige 

I’m going to assume that, as a couple, 

you have two SSIAs and a few other euro 

to spare so you can look at something 

MOTORING 


Skoda Octavia RS 

under €50,000. Like the previous cases, 

you will be surprised or disappointed to 

learn there is nothing mad fancy out there 

for that sort of money. 

FEEL-GOOD BUZZ 

I’m thinking saloon here more than 

anything else. It sort of goes with the 

territory, I think. That means you can 

have a Merc, and Audi, a Jaguar, a 

Honda, a Lexus or a Beemer but maybe 

not the ones you’d have in mind. You 

could go for a Mercedes C-Class in the 

mid-to-late €40,000s. Nice car and, yes, 

that three-pointed star out front does give 

you a feel-good buzz. 

The BMW 3-series is another you’d 

have to consider. Superb to drive, it is the 

fashion icon of the age in this market. 

The Audi A4 has a huge reputation and 

Mercedes C Class 

dealers like to see them coming as 

three-year-olds. 

The Honda Accord diesel is a superb 

drive. At around €43,000, it is a lot for 

a non-traditional executive carmaker but 

I recommend a look. The Jaguar 

S-TYPE has its fans. I’ve gone off its 

looks but there is a lovely cabin and 

nice performance. And then there’s the 

Lexus IS which is a wonderful car, 

except I don’t like the diesel. The 

2.5-litre petrol shows this at its best. 

Such an improvement on the old one. 

Oh! yes and there’s the (whisper it) 

Skoda Superb, which has so much room 

that, frankly, the rest of those 

mentioned are like whipper-snappers. 

And you can have a right good version 

of it for €30,000 or so. Beats the pants 

off everything on value for money. And 

Audi A3 

yet, I have a feeling that if you are 

going to spend most of your double 

SSIA money, you will, deep in your 

soul, want something that marks the 

occasion in a more pronounced 

fashion. 

And, I think that brings it 

down to a choice between the Merc 

and the Beemer. Maybe I am being 

presumptuous. I can only go on 

what people tell me. They want to 

drive something that shows they 

have ‘achieved’ something. It’s a 

tough call. 

I feel the SSIA lady will opt for the 

Beemer. I think the man will go for the 

Merc. I’m on his side (just about). GR 

Eddie Cunningham is Motoring Editor 

of the Irish Independent. 

MOTORING 


Detective Garda Gerry McDonnell 

an honourable 

BADGE 

By Tim Doyle 

GARDA STORY 


Even seated, Gerry Mc Donnell 

looks tough. Burly and broad 

shouldered, his is an 

uncompromising pose as he talks 

about his role as crime detective in the 

Dublin Metropolitan’s Fitzgibbon Street 

station. 

"NOWADAYS 

CRIME INVESTIGATION 

IS A FULL TIME DAY 

AND NIGHT JOB" 

"An ever-changing crime climate due 

to increasing population, diversity of 

culture and a frenzied attitude to life. 

These factors have unleashed a most 

vicious element in society that is 

pushing out the boundaries of 

acceptable behaviour even as we 

speak." 

Standing, moving and talking Gerry 

is deliberate yet conservative, confident 

yet cautious. His is a 24-hour day job 

with many sleep-interrupting calls when 

his expertise is needed. 

"Nowadays crime investigation is a 

full time day and night job", Gerry 

explains, "Time means nothing to the 

criminal. Such are the advances in 

science and technology as well as press 

and media interest it’s vital that we have 

an instant response and that we remain 

totally focused until our enquiries are 

concluded." 

Even though Gerry was reluctant to 

tell tales, my touts had given me the 

read and I was already aware of the 

Zakarauskas case. 

It started on the 14 November 2004 

when Andrius Zakarauskas, a 27-yearold 

native of Siauliai, Lithuania left his 

home along with a neighbour 23-yearold 

Danatus Sutkus and another male 

companion. They travelled to France 

and got a flight from Toulouse to 

Dublin Airport. 

Two days later, they travelled 

to a Cavan car auction and 

Zakarauskas purchased a 1988registered 

Daihatsu Charade motor car 

for €100.

Four days after their arrival (having 

spent the intervening nights sleeping 

rough in Dublin city) Zakarauskas met 

a distant Lithuanian cousin in the city 

centre. The cousin gave Zakarauskas 

and his companions permission to take 

up residence in his north inner city flat, 

which he occupied with two others. 

The flat consisted of a cramped and 

claustrophobic living area; a small 

adjoining kitchenette with a single 

bedroom completing the 

accommodation. All six residents were 

of Lithuanian extraction. 

On the night of 20th November, a 

party was held in the flat, which all the 

occupants attended. Intoxicating liquor 

was consumed. An argument developed 

between Zakarauskas and Sutkus. 

Suddenly, the latter moved towards his 

companion and embraced him. It 

appeared to be an act of reconciliation 

and Zakarauskas accepted the gesture. 

In that instant Sutkus stabbed him six 

times on the side, back and abdomen. 

The attack had the hallmark of a 

military style execution. 

Zakarauskas collapsed and was 

dragged onto the street to await 

emergency services. Sutkus fled the 

scene in the Charade car that his victim 

had purchased a few days before. 

Zakarauskas was rushed to the Mater 

casualty. He was not breathing, had no 

pulse and no recordable blood 

pressure. Despite every possible 

medical intervention, he was 

pronounced dead within the hour. 

Immediately, Fitzgibbon Street 

station party launched a full-scale 

murder enquiry. The scene was sealed 

off with descriptive particulars of the 

suspect and the Charade car being 

circulated. The interview of those 

attending the party as well as other flat 

dwellers in the residence became an 

instant priority along with house-tohouse 

enquiries in the immediate 

vicinity. 

The latter activity proved fruitful as 

two locals recalled seeing an old white 

car speeding away from the scene at 

the crucial time. 

At 3.30am, the same day, Gerry 

McDonnell was roused. Having 

punched in for duty, he was assigned the 

role of liaison officer with the family of 

the deceased. Later that day, he 

discovered that shortly after the incident 

a Dublin-based relative of Zakarauskas 

had received a telephone call from 

Sutkus. It was alleged that he threatened 

this person to say nothing about the 

incident and if the police questioned 

him to say there was a Moroccan 

connection. 

Detective McDonnell also learned that 

a short time after the murder Sutkus had 

made contact with another person in the 

Mullingar area via his mobile phone. 

Later that afternoon Gerry McDonnell 

along with fellow Fitz Street Detective 

Terry McHugh travelled to Mullingar. 

Having liaised with local Gardaí they 

spoke to two teenagers; former natives 

"THESE ARE 

MIND-NUMBING 

HEART-STOPPING 

SPLIT-SECOND MOMENTS 

WITH NO THOUGHT FOR 

PERSONAL SAFETY" 

of Siauliai but now resident in 

Mullingar. After some persuasion one of 

these admitted to getting a phone call 

from Sutkus in the wake of the stabbing. 

The witness said Sutkus had told her he 

had killed his friend Andrius. 

After some hesitation, both agreed to 

point out where Sutkus was lying low - 

in the white Charade car. With back up 

from local colleagues, the party set out. 

As they neared the location, the 

witnesses became excited and agitated. 

The fact that they spoke a foreign 

language was an impediment but the 

Gardaí spotted the Charade car parked. 

It appeared to be unoccupied, but Gerry 

was taking no chances. Dropping the 

witnesses at a safe distance himself and 

Terry drew their revolvers and moved 

in. 

Gerry takes up the story; 

"These are mind-numbing heartstopping 

split-second moments with 

no thought for personal safety, save 

the sworn duty that a murder suspect 

is at large and must be taken. 

Knowledge is great armour in such 

dangerous operations and we knew 

that the driver’s door of the Charade 

car was seized; with exit only 

possible through the passenger door. 

This gave us an edge." 

Up close, the car appeared empty; 

or was it? A blanket lay where the 

rear seat should be. Gerry calls out. 

No response. He calls again. Louder. 

The blanket ripples. Careful now. 

Seconds seem like minutes. Slowly 

the blanket moves to one side and 

form underneath becomes a male 

person. In an instant Donates Sutkus 

is safely secured. 

It was six days since his arrival in 

Ireland and nineteen hours since his 

murderous attack on his companion. 

En route to Dublin the journey 

was interrupted on the Mullingar by 

pass when Sutu blurts. "I kill a man. 

How many years will I get?" 

On 17th July 2006 Donatus 

Sutkus stood in the dock at Dublin’s 

Central Criminal Court. 

In sentencing him to five years, 

Presiding Justice Paul Carney 

commented on the failed efforts of 

Gerry McDonnell to obtain funding 

from the Department of Finance to 

transport the victim’s family to 

Ireland. Commending Gerry, he 

stated; "It’s a great credit to the 

humanity of the Garda that it was 

part of his objective to realise this 

aim." 

Yes! Gerry McDonnell is tough, 

and as committed as any member 

who took the oath to protect life. He 

is forceful in the critical task of 

securing and removing from society 

those of murderous intent. But in 

equal measure he has the capacity to 

comfort the afflicted and give 

consolation to the victims of crime 

and their families. 

A most credible and honourable 

badge for any detective. GR

sEASON 

THE 

Members on the promenade in Tramore can 

forecast their day ahead; if the car parks 

are full by 11 o’clock it’s going to be busy. 

Neil Ward reports. 

In June, July and August the people in 

Tramore are a largely unknown 

quantity to the Gardaí; the town is 

swelled by tourists. Among those 

holidaying for a week or two, there are 

the day trippers. Tramore is a huge 

attraction. 

“People ring us from the country 

asking us what the weather is like here – 

they all come to us, 15,000 could be 

here. That in itself causes problems,” 

said Sergeant Liam Connolly IC, “Even 

on fine days during the winter, the day 

trippers are attracted to Tramore. 

“Our season can start at the May Bank 

Holiday weekend and continues until the 

last week of August. That’s our tourist 

season and we judge it by the volume of 

calls coming in here. 

“We can get up to 50 or 60 calls per 

day, even the amount of incidents that 

are entered onto PULSE will be four 

times what we get out of season. It ends 

as quickly as flicking off a switch, and 

we return to the regular policing of the 

town until next season.” 

Liam Connolly added, “For those of us 

that live here, we get the town back in 

autumn and we have it for the winter. It’s 

different; we have the beach and the sand 

dunes, the coves and the inlets. We have 

some great geographical features that 

add to the quality of life.” 

Christmas is said to be ‘very quiet; 

very quaint’. There is an absolute 

beauty to this piece of coastline 

and promenade that draws people 

TRAMORE 


Sergeant Liam Connolly IC and Garda Martina Felle 

IN SEASON, THE VOLUME 

OF PEOPLE CREATES THE 

INEVITABLE TRAFFIC 

PROBLEMS OR LOST 

CHILDREN; ALL PROBLEMS 

COMMON TO A RESORT. 

to it all year round. People pull on 

their woolly hats and head off into the 

wind in the autumn and winter. When the 

tide is out, the expanse of beach is 

fabulous. 

SAFE ENVIRONMENT 

In season, the volume of people creates 

the inevitable traffic problems or lost 

children; all problems common to a 

resort. There are three miles of sandy 

beach here, protected by lifeguards 

during the summer months, with a cliff 

and sea rescue unit here on standby with 

a helicopter based at Waterford Airport, 

which is within the policing area of the 

Tramore district.

Tramore is a festival town; there is the 

Trafest – sponsored by Guinness - where 

the town is taken over by traditional 

music in the pubs and on the streets as 

well as the staged main events. The 

Oceanic Manoeuvres Festival promotes 

the culture of the sea and the beach; there 

is some fine surfing too. These festivals 

are growing; this year the horse racing 

festival was regarded as a tremendous 

success in the town, attracting 25,000 

people to the racecourse that is only a 

kilometre from the Garda station. This 

happens during the busiest time for 

Tramore Gardaí. 

Liam Connolly said, “In July and 

August we do not get time to review how 

we are doing - we are too busy policing 

the town. When it quietens down in 

September and October we have the 

opportunity to look back at the events 

and learn from them.” 

Garda John McDonald is a member of 

one of the regular units in the station, 

and he has been here since he transferred 

from Dublin Airport in 1999. He said, 

“Tramore is a seasonal resort, and it’s 

one of the biggest in the country. The 

town generally doubles in size from 

10,000 to 20,000 people. 

“The life of the town is fuelled by 

tourism and policing is a major part of 

this; families are more likely to come 

here if it is a safe environment. I think 

TRAMORE GARDA STATION 

Unit A L-R: John Cahill, John Sutherland; Sergeant Paul 

O’Driscoll; John McDonald; and Eamon Hally (seated) 

TRAMORE 



that we are achieving that. 

“As a tourist town we do not want to 

have people walking around with bags 

full of alcoholic drink. It gives a bad 

image of the town, and many of the 

members live here as well as work here; 

and they simply don’t allow it. The town 

council brought in a bye law that made it 

illegal to drink alcohol in public places.” 

It is the beach bye laws that regulate 

much of the activity and ease the policing 

of the area; caravans and camper vans are 

not allowed to park up overnight on the 

strand – they can be summonsed and 

prosecuted at a later stage. There is no 

drinking of alcohol allowed in public 

places. Many of these naturally differ 

from inland districts, here members 

police people on water craft such as jet 

skis as well as motor vehicles – the bye 

laws state that they cannot come within 

200 metres of the shoreline; which is not 

always easy to judge as there are no 

markers for the jet skiers or the Gardaí. 

TOUGHEST TIME 

Superintendent Jerry Lynch said, “Our 

work is quite varied. We do quite a lot of 

TRAMORE 


traffic work; we have 20 miles of the 

N25 stretching from Waterford city to 

within four miles of Dungarvan. We have 

20 miles of coastline that brings its 

problems; unfortunate accidents and 

suicides. 

“We are always watching for people’s 

safety, especially in summertime 

basically advising them of particular 

times when swimming can be dangerous 

because of tides and the coves. 

“It’s hard to put a figure on the 

increase in population here during the 

summer; it was always said to be a 

million visitors between May and 

September. It’s the toughest time for us, 

as our own people also want to take 

holiday during this time. We have 

managed without bringing in 

supplementary resources by using 

overtime where necessary. 

“People might think that 

Tramore closes down in 

September, but there is a lot 

of holiday property that is let 

at cheaper rates. We can get 

some troublesome youths 

staying here in the winter 

because the accommodation is so cheap. 

You can never afford to take your eye off 

the ball here.” 

Somewhat refreshingly, public order is 

not an issue in Tramore to the same 

extent that it is in many similar-sized 

towns in other parts of the country. There 

were very few breaches of public order in 

the town; all of the visitors to the 

festivals this year were described as 

‘generally very well behaved’. 

Sergeant Liam Connolly said, 

“Because we are such a small outfit here 

in the station, we know the people that 

are on the organising committees. There 

is a lot of interaction between us, and as 

a result everything ran smoothly. 

“We have two night clubs in the town, 

and what you can say is that outside of 

the season they are very easy to police. 

In the height of the season, we just put a 

few extra on the beat. Public order is not 

Michael Mackessy (standing) and Colm O’Neill

a big issue for us.” 

It’s not a big problem, but we do have 

teenagers drinking in the parks and in the 

fields. We deal with these problems 

straight away. We have a few juveniles 

cautioned for underage drinking.” 

Superintendent Jerry Lynch believes 

that most of this is because there are no 

other outlets for young people. He said, 

“There are no underage discos anymore. 

We have a good range of sports groups, 

but there is nowhere at the moment for 

the under 18s to socialise now that 

‘South’ (a large night club venue) 

has gone. That is a problem.” 

BEYOND THE SUMMER 

Garda John McDonald is the Garda 

representative to the local parents 

committee that is trying to find a 

solution to this. In its infancy at the 

moment is an initiative to introduce 

the no name disco to Tramore; to 

give the young population 

somewhere to go and look forward to 

– it is alcohol free and is developing 

country wide. 

John McDonald said, “Teenage 

years are difficult enough and we 

need to play our part and give it some 

attention. We have a good committee 

of local parents with some new ideas 

and we are planning some outings for 

teenagers that are so vital in this day 

and age. 

“We have a need for a JLO here to 

give talks and get some of them back on 

track. There is no JLO here, we are 

covered by the JLOs in Waterford but 

they are often kept busy in the city by 

juvenile orientated crime. This is one of a 

number of other aspects to community 

policing that we are exploring at the 

moment, so are mountain bike units.” 

Everyone that I spoke to seemed to 

agree that morale is excellent here. The 

district officer, Superintendent Lynch 

believes that morale is very upbeat and 

describes the station party as a young 

crew who are ‘willing to put their 

shoulder to the wheel’. Crime is down. 

Garda John McDonald is also the GRA 

representative for the Tramore district. 

He said, “We have good morale in the 

station. The station is vibrant and there is 

a nice mixture of junior and senior 

Gardaí. For the first time, we are getting 

probationers to stay here after their 

probation period - and beyond the 

summer months. 

“We have senior and junior members 

Garda Michael Brenner 

together on the units, it’s healthy. It’s a 

friendly and genuine station.” 

He puts this down to a number of 

factors, not least that the station is 

relatively new and issues of health, 

safety and maintenance are brought up 

on a regular basis and these are 

confronted. 

He said, “I am the health and safety 

representative and with the new 

legislation that was brought in during 

2005 and updated you can’t afford the 

station or equipment to fall into 

disrepair. You have to highlight 

problems and breakdowns and make 

sure that they are addressed.” 

MAY TO SEPTEMBER 

Several members who had between 30 

and 34 years’ service each have all 

retired recently and the station age 

profile has become much younger. 

Accordingly, the units had to be 

reshaped after the sudden 


disappearance of much of this experience 

and local knowledge. 

“In a sense we do have a generation 

gap,” said Sergeant Liam Connolly, “but 

the units are divided in a way that shares 

out a mixture of youth and experience. 

We have some members with over 20 

years’ service and those just starting out 

within each unit. 

“This has brought with it both a new 

lease of life and a new style of policing. 

Younger people that don’t know about 

the geographical area or the community 

itself have come in; but they bring with 

them a renewed energy. Many of our 

members are in their mid 20s. 

“It takes time for the members with 

junior service to adapt to the people and 

the place and the style of policing; but 

the energy is there. They have great 

enthusiasm to police this district.” 

Superintendent Jerry Lynch said, “We 

have a very young Force here at the 

moment and many of them are not 

married and do not have children. We try 

to cater for them so that they can get 

their holidays in the summer. Members 

with children want to take their holidays 

when the children are off school; it’s a 

numbers game, a real juggling act. It’s a 

struggle to keep the bare minimum here 

at times. 

“We have Waterford city only 10 

minutes away and our district borders it, 

and it has an impact on us. The influence 

of the city on what happens here is 

major. We have had two horrendous 

murders in the last three years, one that 

someone has been convicted for and 

another that is soon before the courts. 

TRAMORE 


When you get hit with serious crime like 

that it takes you months to recover 

resources. All available resources are put 

into serious crime – you can have 

members in court for several weeks when 

the case comes up. It is a major drain on 

resources. 

“Certainly, we could do with some extra 

manpower on the units here, the units are 

1+5 and 1+6; we have no one in 

Stradbally. In modern life people are out 

of the house and burglaries do happen in 

rural areas. Last year, we had someone 

murdered in the course of a burglary. It 

was the first that I can recall. It was a 

needless crime.” 

Tramore Garda station is the 

headquarters for a district that covers 620 

square kilometres. There are seven subdistricts, 

but Tramore is the only three 

relief, 24 hour station out of those – the 

others close at 2am. Until they reopen at 

9am they are covered from Tramore, 

which is right on the coast and the district 

spreads within five miles of Clonmel, 

some 48 kilometres inland. The 

population was 24,500 at the census in 

2002. There are 42 Garda personnel in 

Tramore district. 

Liam Connolly said, “We are on the 

coast and the rest of the district fans out 

from us. If you had a serious traffic 

accident in Rathgormuck it would take 40 

minutes to get there – a patrol car and 

crew could spend three hours on that 

incident, on one call that in itself is 

uncomplicated. We have to police that 

area. The majority of the district is rural, 

but Kilmacthomas and Portlaw are urban 

centres.” 

Superintendent Jerry Lynch said, “We 

also have Waterford regional airport that 

has a throughput of 70,000 passengers 

The station’s history 

is proudly displayed 

up the stairs 

each year and next year they are hoping 

to expand – with flights to Faro, Malaga 

and Prague, I believe. It takes quite a lot 

of policing, we have to cover all of the 

flights and in particular we have to police 

immigration there. It has been targeted as 

a point of entry.” 

TAKING OFF 

Garda Michael O’Keeffe has been the 

immigration officer since June, having 

served in a country station – Kilmeadon - 

for 10 years. He said, “I am kept going by 

immigration at a district level, here in the 

station, and also covering the airport that 

is getting progressively busier –and so 

are the flights that are landing there. 

“The numbers have taken off. They 

started from a small base but this has 

soared. The flights are mainly to the UK 

but there is a French service and talk of 

three new European routes next year. The 

workload is increasing all the time. Time 

will tell whether the runway is extended 

to accommodate jets. In the future, this 

may create problems for us. 

“I have a permanent office at the airport 

and a GNIB system out there; the issues 

at the airport are point of entry issues but 

I also do the station registrations as well. 

It is an unusual set up but that is the way 

it is in the way that this district is set up. 

“I make my appointments around when 

the flights are scheduled and rescheduled. 

In the future this may prove 

more difficult. I wouldn’t say that 

Waterford has been ‘targeted’ as a point 

of entry for illegal immigrants, but 

perhaps the regional airports are maybe 

seen as softer targets than the mainstream 

airports. Maybe they are mistaken in 

thinking this; we have turned back two 

people in the last few weeks. 

Detective Garda James Curry and Garda Michael O’Keeffe 


Superintendent Jerry Lynch 

“We did have two refugee centres for 

asylum seekers but these have since 

gone. We have a multicultural society, 

and the new people have integrated 

well into the community.” 

In the town, the population has 

expanded. It is reported that there are 

perhaps one thousand more people 

here now than in Dungarvan – 

traditionally the major town in the 

county. Many of the villages are 

mushrooming. The policing ratio has 

now slipped to about 1:600 where is 

was 1:540. 

Superintendent Lynch says that there 

is no criminal base living in Tramore, 

though members are constantly dealing 

with people who come in from outside 

- who are an unknown quantity. He 

said, “We have groups who come here 

from Dublin and we can nearly 

measure when they come.” 

For the members in Tramore can 

nearly forecast how busy they are 

going to be by the number of cars in 

the car parks in the promenade. It’s the 

season. GR 

Garda Jennifer Ryan in Superintendent’s 

clerks office 

TRAMORE 


INFORMER 

L-R: Garda Alec Cassidy and Mick Donlon from the 

Bridewell at the opening ceremony in Collins Barracks 

NOTICEBOARD 

Please note that all advertisements in this section are 

between the two parties concerned. Garda Review and 

the GRA neither endorse nor recommend services in this 

section. 

TRANSFER SWAPS 

■ Member in Waterford/Kilkenny seeks Division swap with 

member based in Cork City or Cork West Divisions ■ Member 

in Laois/Offaly wishes to swap with a member in the Limerick, 

Cork North or Cork West Divisions. ■ Contact the editor on 01 

830 3533 for details. 

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. 

Winter 2006 and Spring/Summer 2007. Phone 086 842 1551. 

INFORMER 


COLLINS BARRACKS OPENS 

IRISH AT WAR EXHIBITION 

A new wing at the national museum 

of Ireland houses the first-ever 

Irish military exhibition. It is the 

largest military exhibition opening 

anywhere in Europe this year. 

The exhibition, opened by 

Minister John O’Donoghue is 

located in a newly built three-storey 

wing at Collins Barracks, Dublin 

Soldiers & Chiefs displays more 

than 1,000 original artefacts, 

letters, replicas and interactive 

displays to illustrate how soldiering 

and war have affected the lives of 

the Irish. 

FAREWELL HARRY MORRISON 

Garda Harry Morrison retired from An 

Garda Síochána on 1st September 2006, 

and a function was held in the Grand 

Hotel Fermoy to mark the occasion. 

Harry finished his service as a member 

of the Fermoy station party and was for 

many years a member of the GRA 

Divisional Committee and a member of 

the GRA executive until he stepped 

down in May 2006. 

John Parker said, "Harry Morrison has 

an immense and in depth knowledge not 

only of rules and regulations but of 

practices and procedures and most 

importantly, a photographic memory of 

precedents and records of how 

management dealt with previous 

situations. He was able to utilise this to 

prevail upon various officers to deal with 

members not only in a fair manner but in 

a humane and sympathetic way too. 

"Many members around the country 

find themselves put out to grass because 

of illnesses or injuries instead of 

positions being found where they can 

make positive contributions; many 

members owe a debt of gratitude to what 

I call the ‘Morrison Visa’ which enabled 

them to remain in the job." 

The Director of the National 

Museum, Dr. Pat Wallace, 

commented "It should serve as a 

signal that we no longer ignore 

difficult and hitherto unfashionable 

parts of our history." 

The extensive collection of 

military artefacts includes a 

Vampire jet fighter hung from the 

ceiling, a sword of one of 

Napoleon’s soldiers, Christmas 

cards and chocolate boxes from the 

trenches of WWI and Padraig 

Pearse’s hat and pistol from 1916. 

Admission is free of charge. 

Harry Morrison (right) receives his GRA statuette 

from John Parker 

BOOKED: JUDGE DAY SENT FIRST 

CONVICTS TO AUSTRALIA 

Few members of the bench or the 

old Irish Parliament scribbled as 

much as Robert Day: and this 

book contains his addresses to 

grand juries and diaries. Judge 

Day was a popular and 

noteworthy figure of South 

Dublin who served as the 

county court judge of Dublin 

(Kilmainham) from 1789 to 

1798, where he gained the 

reputation for leniency which 

stayed with him when he was elevated 

to the court of King’s Bench in 1798: He sent 

some of the first convicts to New South Wales. 

Mr Justice Robert Day: List price €65, publication offer €45 

Contact: Gerald O’Carroll 061 303387 or 

geraldocarroll@eircom.net

INFORMER 

INTO THE WEST: GARDA COLLEGE TEAM RUN 

By S/Garda Eric O’Sullivan 

It was the weekend. But it was no 

ordinary weekend; Saturday morning, 

12th August 2006 and over 30 students 

of the Garda College would walk, run 

or jog the 13 miles from Louisburg to 

Westport in aid of Our Lady’s Hospital 

for Sick Children in Crumlin. There 

has always been a very strong tradition 

of fundraising in the Garda College for 

well-deserving charities such as 

Crumlin Hospital. This was a great 

charity to do the run for; I hoped could 

finish it in one piece. 

Student Gardaí from intake IB 

huddled together for a group photo, 

the last time we would all look so 

fresh. With the scenic views of Croke 

Patrick and the majestic views of the 

Atlantic who could complain as we all 

arrived in Louisburg and everyone 

started their stretching and warm ups. 

I started my praying; "13 miles", I said 

to myself, "no bother." 

The race was started at 11am by 

race director Superintendent Paul 

Moran, ably assisted by the ‘Garda 

College Team 2006’ managers, 

Sergeant Niall Featherstone and Garda 

Carlo Griffin. 

Off we went on the rocky road to 

Westport. As we went through 

Louisburg the public gave us a warm 

welcome. As we passed the mighty 

Croke Patrick, the legs were starting to 

ache. My pilgrimage ended in Westport 

at 1pm and my team mates all finished 

GERARD GARLAND – AN APPRECIATION 

Garda Gerard Garland 

Garda Gerard Garland (28056K) died on 

11th September 2006. He joined An 

Garda Síochána in April 1999 and was 

attached to Ronanstown Garda station. 

A keen rugby player, he was a member 

of Coolmine Rugby Club. Gerard 

played rugby for Ireland and Leinster at 

INFORMER 


under-19 level. 

Gerard’s family and his 

girlfriend Deirdre wish to thank 

all of his relatives, loyal friends 

and colleagues, particularly 

Robbie and Mark, who 

supported him throughout his 

illness. Also, thank you to 

Deirdre’s superiors and 

colleagues in Ballyfermot 

Garda station for their 

continued support during this 

sad time. 

The presence of so many 

Gardaí at the funeral was 

appreciated by his family; as 

was the assistance of the Garda 

Traffic Corps. The family 

would also like to thank the 

priests who attended the 

moving ceremonies. Gerard 

Garland will be sadly missed by 

his mother Madge; sister 

Bernie; brother James, sister-inlaw 

Geraldine and his nieces 

and nephew; his girlfriend 

Deirdre and by all his relatives. 

May he rest in peace. 

Intake IB Volunteers and at the front L-R: Garda Carlo 

Griffin, Student Garda Patricia Davey, Mr Kieran Phibbs, 

Supt Paul Moran and Sgt Niall Featherstone. 

in great times. I said after the race I 

would never do it again, but I know I 

will be back again next year. 

The total amount raised was €5,000 

and this was presented to the Crumlin 

Hospital 14th September 2006 at a 

ceremony presided over by the 

Inspector Kevin Bowen, on behalf of 

the Director of Training and 

Development. 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR 

Dear Sir 

I believe that the idea of a Garda Reserve is 

fundamentally flawed in its thinking and what is 

required is a full time Garda Force equipped 

adequately to perform its duties. There are 

almost 1,750 civilian support staff attached to 

An Garda Síochána…recruiting in this area and 

particularly expanding the functions of 

administrative and clerical staff would have a far 

more positive effect. 

With few notable exceptions, those in the Dáil 

and Seanad have done little to voice the 

concerns of those tasked with protecting our 

society. This is particularly a concern within the 

Seanad where the lack of vocal opposition to 

badly planned policies allows misrepresentations 

of the actions and comments of those opposed to 

the reserve force to go unchallenged. 

I can commit now to actively voicing my 

opposition to the reserve and am happy to work 

with your organisation to table a private 

members bill to oppose it. 

Is Mise Le Meas, 

Martin Hogan 

Independent NUI Seanad Candidate 

Letters to the editor are edited for reasons of space

CAN YOU HELP IDENTIFY THE STATION PARTIES? 

Sergeant Matthew Gallagher with unidentified station party. 

Can you provide the names? 

Bridie Conefry, daughter of Sergeant Matthew Gallagher, is trying to identify some of 

the members in these photographs, taken in the early years of the Force. Her father 

joined An Garda Síochána in 1922. If anyone recognises either station party please 

contact the editor. 

Bennetsbridge Garda station, Co. Kilkenny. Sergeant Matthew Gallagher 

(front centre) is surrounded by the other members of the station party 

INFORMER 

MEMORIES FROM 

EARLY EDITIONS OF 

THE ‘GARDA REVIEW’ 

Edited by Inspector Patrick McGee, 

Garda Museum/Archives, Dublin 

Castle 

Garda Review September 1974 

LEARNING THE JOB 

This month we welcome the reintroduction 

of on-going training 

methods at the new In-Service 

Training Centre at Fitzgibbon Street. 

The new centre is full equipped to 

deal with all kinds of modern 

training techniques and when it 

becomes operational it will bring the 

Garda’s in-service training system 

abreast of any police force in Europe 

in this respect. 

Modern thinking on training 

believes it must have two qualities; 

flexibility and the capacity to update 

itself. Fifty years ago a policeman 

needed little amplification of what 

he learned in basic training when he 

joined. To-day, the issues which face 

the working law officer are 

constantly changing, constantly 

taking on new aspects and constantly 

demanding new complexities. It is 

not sufficient that the police officer 

should have to learn the hard way. 

He needs all the back up services by 

way of advice and instruction he can 

get. 

The new system of In-Service 

Training has been carefully planned 

and programmed by Headquarters 

and it has got off the ground not 

without difficulty and not without 

opposition. It will be welcomed by 

every dedicated police officer and 

will become, hopefully, one of the 

strongest assets of the force in 

adjusting to new conditions and new 

problems. 

Those who have organised the 

new programme would be the last to 

deny that such a departure depends 

for its long term success on its 

willingness to innovate, to depart 

from time-worn procedures where 

necessary and to occasionally take a 

bold leap in the dark. 

EDITORIAL 

INFORMER 


dive? 

TRY A 

Before the Garda 

Water Unit had its 

own team of divers, 

members of the Garda 

sub aqua club would 

help with criminal 

investigations. Now, 

it’s more about leisure 

writes Darren Martin. 

GARDA SUB AQUA 


Scuba diving; images of blue seas, 

fish-filled crystal waters, lobsters, 

dolphins and shipwrecks come to 

mind. Would you think of these 

about diving in Irish waters? Well you 

might, because the truth is that the waters 

around Ireland offer some of the best 

diving in Europe. 

Irish diving has gone from strength to 

strength in the last few years and the 

Garda Sub Aqua Club is no exception. 

With relatively humble beginnings 43 

years ago the club has grown stronger 

year after year and now enjoys a large 

membership and facilities that are the 

envy of many other clubs around the 

country. The club has now four ridged 

inflatable boats (RIBs), which are stored 

in the clubs new boat house in 

Westmanstown. 

A number of members got together in 

1963 to moot the idea of setting up a club 

to promote diving in Ireland, and with the 

help of donations the first diving trips 

were organised. The club was one of the 

first to be set up in Ireland and was soon 

helping in the investigation of criminal 

incidents as well as being a recreational 

club. The club helped in many water 

searches in its early years and it was not 

long before an official diving unit was set 

up within An Garda Síochána. 

There has always been a close history 

between the club and the unit but they 

have always remained a separate 

organisation, though many of the people 

who were involved in the diving unit 

started out their diving training in the 

Garda Sub Aqua Club and went on to 

serve in the Garda Water Unit.

NEW MEMBERS 

The club now welcomes both members 

of the Gardaí and civilians; anyone who 

has an interest in diving. The clubs 

members enjoy organised trips 

throughout the diving year, which starts 

in October and new club members start 

training in the swimming pool. Our club 

is no different; members start their 

training in the National Aquatic Centre in 

Blanchardstown where they learn the 

basics of diving. 

The training involves lectures as well 

as pool work. After that, it is off to the 

local for ‘a debrief’ and the telling of 

tales of diving and the size of that fish 

someone once saw on a dive out west. 

The next part involves snorkelling and 

every Sunday the club meets in 

Sandycove to go out in Dublin Bay. All 

things going well, the first diving trip 

takes place in March. From then the club 

organises a trip every month to some of 

the most scenic parts of Ireland; included 

Killary, Ballycastle, PollaThomas and 

Malinbeg. 

Many say the best diving in Ireland is 

on the west coast - and I must admit I am 

one of these people. The west coast 

offers clear waters with plenty of sea life 

to enjoy, not mentioning the hospitality 

of the local people. 

One of the more enjoyable aspects of 

diving in the west is that we go to places 

that you would normally never go to. It 

is a relaxing and enjoyable way of 

getting away from it all; all that and 

some great diving too. 

There is a week-long trip organised 

each year, often to one of the many 

THE GARDA SUB AQUA CLUB 

islands around the coast. This year the 

club spent a week on the Aran Islands 

where the diving was exceptional. 

Diving also takes place in Dublin every 

week and Dublin Bay offers many great 

sites to explore and include a trip to the 

Muglins in the bay, where there is nearly 

always a seal around the rocks and they 

often enter the water to have a look at 

you as you go down on a dive. Dublin 

bay is also full of shipwrecks such as the 

Leinster and the Guide me II. The wreck 

dives are organised on Saturdays, though 

during the summer months there are also 

dives on a Thursdays evening taking 

advantage of the longer days 

There are many things that you can 

see diving in Ireland, from the smallest 

jewel anemone to the largest fish in the 

sea - the whale shark - and everything in 

between. I once dived with a pod of 

dolphins in Ballycastle, Co. Mayo. They 

came in around the diving boats and then 

stayed with us through out the dive. 

The many ship wrecks around our 

coasts offer dive sites that always attract 

shoals of fish; lobsters and dog fish. 

The club has also travelled to other 

countries; the qualification from the club 

is recognised worldwide. 

The club has now a new website for 

more information with pictures and 

video footage of previous trips. The club 

is now recruiting new members and 

anyone interested can contact the club 

through the website or you can write to 

the Garda Sub Aqua Club, Harrington 

Street, Dublin 2. 

‘Try a Dive’ nights are being held in 

October and November in the National 

Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown; dates 

and details will be on the website and 

posters in stations over the coming 

weeks. GR 

www.gardasubaquaclub.com or follow 

the links on www.garda.ie to the club’s 

website. 

GARDA SUB AQUA 


TRIATHLON 

Garda team 

in Dublin 

City Triatlon 

The largest triathlon event in the country 

was held at the Garda Boat Club in 

Dublin. The event has been running now 

for a number of years and this year saw 

over 750 competitors from many 

different countries taking part. Many 

members of An Garda Siochana entered 

the event on 16th September 2006. 

It began with an idea in the Garda 

College where it was suggested that 

Gardaí should enter a team in the Dublin 

City event should be looked into. A team 

of 22 members of An Garda Siochana 

stepped up to the challenge - of every 

rank up to and including an Assistant 

Commissioner; bringing together those 

from other sporting Garda clubs. 

The Dublin City Triathlon consists of a 

1500m swim in the Liffey followed by a 

40km cycle and then a 10km Run. The 

cycle and the run both take place in the 

Phoenix Park. Members of the Garda Sub 

Aqua Club acted as safety divers at the 

race start - the start of the Irish National 

Championships. 

SPORTSFILE 

L-R: Superintendent Paul Moran, Sergeant Pat Ferrick, Gardaí Eunan Malone, Darren Martin and Dave 

Cherry prepare for the Liffey… 

The distance of this event is known as 

Olympic Distance for obvious reasons. 

The event is an endurance sport. The 

swim in the Liffey was something that 

many found ‘challenging’ - especially if 

they were used to sea or pool swimming. 

Some found the hills in the park an 

additional challenge on the cycle and the 

run. After the race a large barbeque was 

held at the Boat Club. 

There are plans further events next 

year. If you are interested contact the new 

Triathlon representative Philip Collis, 

National Drugs Unit, for more 

information. 

Mick Macken (Fingerprints) once 

again came first in the veterans’ category 

and was also the first of the team to make 

SOCCER 

THE RESULT 

DID NOT MATTER 

Castleblayney Gardaí played a match against Rath Na Nog 

(Childrens High Support Unit, Castleblayney). Children at Rath Na 

Nog challenged Castleblayney Gardai to a soccer match played on 

an artificial pitch in the town. The final score was Gardaí 3 Rath Na 

Nog 0. 

"The result did not matter as the game was very sporting and good 

fun", said Garda Pat Merrick, "Rath Na Nog staff hosted a meal after 

the game and presented the winning captain, Sergeant Eric Boyle, 

with a cup followed by a presentation of medals to all players." 

Castleblayney Garda Team 

it home. Thanks to our sponsors St 

Raphael’s Credit Union: The Garda 

Swimming Club, the Garda Cycling 

Club, The Garda Athletics Club and 

Coiste Roinne for making it all happen. 

Members took part in this year’s event 

included: Darren Martin, Philip Collis, 

Michael Leonard, Brendan Lyons, Declan 

Quinn, Ronan Hartnett, Michael Macken, 

Jane Heaney, Darren McCarthy, Mick 

Shay, Dave Cambell, Andy Tuite, Justin 

Kelly, John Leonard, Pat Feerick, Eunan 

Malone, Dave Cherry, Carl Gallagher, 

Una O’Shaughnessy, John Bruton. 

Inspector Bill Wildes, Superintendent 

Paul Moran, Chief Superintendent Mick 

Feehen and Assistant Commissioner I. 

Rice. 

GARDA SPORTSFILE 


Winners: The Southern Region 

FOOTBALL 

GARDA INTER-REGIONAL 

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 

The finals of the Inter-Regional Football Championship sponsored by St 

Paul’s Garda Credit Union and Coiste Siamsa were played in Pearse Stadium, 

Salthill. This was the fifth year of the competition where the Garda regions 

battle for the Seamus O’Reilly Memorial cup. 

Seamus O’Reilly, a Mayo native was a well-known footballer who played 

inter-county with both Mayo & Donegal. His sudden death in 1999 was a 

great tragedy for his wife, Rosaleen and their children, his wider family, 

friends and An Garda Síochána. His memory lives on in this competition and 

it was great to once again see his family strongly represented at the finals. 

The matches were played on 6th October 2006, beginning with two semifinals 

involving the Western Region against the Southern and the DMR South 

playing the Northern Region. After two close contests, the Northern region 

won through to challenge the Southern Region who were the holders. The 

final was an intriguing contest. 

While it initially seemed that the Southern region were on the way to an 

easy victory, the representatives from the Northern region ensured that it was 

to be a close contest; giving it their all in the second half. The Southern 

region were deserved winners. 

LADIES FOOTBALL 

Kerry Gardaí in charity match with married ladies 

The substitute for Garda Ladies is not all that it 

appears to be 

Kerry Garda Ladies played a charity 

football match against Cordal Married 

Ladies and raised €1,000 to be shared 

between Nano Nangle in Listowel and 

Castleisland Day Care Physio Unit; 

€800 was raised at the gate on the 

night of the match. 

Garda Seamus Moriarty from 

Tralee Garda station coached the 

team that was organised by Garda 

Liz Twomey from Castleisland Garda 

Station. Garda Ladies won the match 

1-6 to 2-2; although the Garda Ladies 

‘super-sub’ received a red card – 

although only after causing great 

hilarity among players and 

spectators. It kept the entertainment 

factor high. 

ROWING 

SPORTSFILE 

Garda Caroline Ryan 

Garda Caroline Ryan finished another 

successful rowing season that has 

since seen her selected for the Irish 

National Team for the coming year. 

Despite a painful stress fracture to her 

rib cage she competed in the world 

championships in Eton, England and 

recorded a personal best time. 

Unfortunately she aggravated her 

injury and on medical advice was 

withdrawn from further competition. 

Graham Tolan, Coiste Siamsa’s 

Rowing Representative said, "It was a 

disappointing finish to an otherwise 

successful year for Caroline who 

made fantastic progress at 

international level. 

"Caroline Ryan deserves recognition 

for her dedication and commitment to 

training as well as her achievements in 

competition." 

CLAY SHOOTING 

MAURA WALSH 

WINS DMR CLAY 

SHOOTING 

CHAMPIONSHIPS 

An Garda Síochána DMR Clay 

Shooting Championships were held at 

the National Clay Shooting Grounds, 

Ashbourne, Co Meath, in glorious 

sunshine. Ivor Fannin won the Mick 

Gorry Cup and the Garda Senior 

DTL was won by Maura Walsh with 

a score of 25/75 

Garda High Gun was John Troy 

with 45/50. The Garda Retired 

Members Shield was won by Paddy 

Sweeney. The next shoot will be the 

Christmas competition on 19th 

November at Ashbourne. Contact Pat 

on 086 819 1963 for details. 

GARDA SPORTSFILE 


COMPETITION 

WINWINWIN 

A great golfing weekend 

for two! 

The prize consists of two nights’ accommodation 

including breakfast, one evening meal and one round 

of golf. The venue is the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow. 

This fantastic prize is worth around €1,000, and can 

be taken sometime during the winter months excluding 

bank holiday weekends, Christmas and New Year 

breaks (subject to availability). 

GolfMaster Corporate Golf 

GolfMaster is an established company 

specialising in providing businesses with a 

highly professional approach to the 

entertainment of clients and suppliers. With 

the increasing popularity of golf we 

organise and execute all the elements 

necessary to provide our clients with the 

very best golfing experience both locally 

and abroad. 

GolfMaster is well respected in the 

industry and maintains excellent 

relationships with the finest golf courses 

and hotels in the country. 

From the untamed links courses at 

Ballybunion, Lahinch, Royal County 

Down, The Old Head Of Kinsale and the 

latest jewel in Ireland’s crown, Doonbeg 

Golf Club, to the famous parkland courses 

at Druid’s Glen, Mount Julie, Powerscourt 

The Heritage and the K Club,( home to the 

2006 Ryder Cup Challenge). 

Experienced in organising groups of all 

sizes we will ensure that you receive the 

best of service both on and off the course. 

Along with the traditional destinations in 

Europe such as the south of Spain and 

Portugal, Golfmaster have located new 

golfing destinations in France, Italy and 

Northern Spain. 

Outside of Europe, GolfMaster also 

offers exciting and unique golfing 

destinations such as South Africa, Thailand, 

and the United States. At present 

GolfMaster is proud to be associated with 

an exclusive corporation in Canada which 

offers Golfmaster’s clients exclusive entry 

onto some of Canada’s most prestigious 

golf courses and resorts, such as Glenn 

HOW TO ENTER: 

Simply answer the following question: 

Q. WHO CAPTAINED THE WINNING RYDER CUP TEAM IN 2006? 

Send your answer on a postcard to: GOLF COMPETITION, Garda Review, 

Floor 5, Phibsboro Tower, Dublin 7 – remember to include your name, 

address and daytime telephone number (or mobile!). One winner whose 

correct entry is the first drawn will receive this fabulous prize. 

The closing date is Friday, 17th November 2006. All the usual 

competition rules apply – as do some terms and conditions. Our 

judges’ decision is final and no cash alternatives will be offered. 

Abbey, (home to the Canadian 

Open), King Valley, Rocky Crest, 

and The Lake Joseph Club. 

GolfMaster co-ordinate and execute 

every detail of your trip. This includes 

flights, transfers, accommodation and the 

all important golf tee times. Clients of 

GolfMaster can chose to have 

representation on trips away and we will 

arrange and handle all on-site management. 

Should you wish to contact us please call 

086 8219074 or email 

golfmaster@eircom.net, we look forward to 

speaking with you and providing you with 

references that will confirm GolfMaster’s 

name is synonymous with corporate 

entertainment at its best. 

Website: www.golfmasterireland.com 

"It is with great pleasure that I get the chance 

to officially thank you for being instrumental 

in making our Ireland golf trip 

truly outstanding...." 

Bill Gaskey - Managing Director - NBA Canada Inc. 

RECENT COMPETITION WINNER 

WEEKEND BREAK COMPETITION 

(July/August 2006) 

The winner of our competition in the 

July/August issue of Garda Review was 

Mary O’Connell from Stamullen in Co. 

Meath, who won a luxury break for two 

people at Killashee House Hotel & Villa 

Spa in Naas, Co Kildare. 

COMPETITION 


CROSSWORDBY GORDIUS 

NAME: 

ADDRESS: 

REG NO: 

SUMMER 2006 – CROSSWORD WINNERS 

1st Prize €300 PRIZE BOND 

Paul Ruane Royal Oak, Santry, Dublin 9 27436D 

Runners-up €150 PRIZE BOND 

Con Daly North Circular Road, Limerick 19735A 

Eimear Nevin Kevin Street Garda station, Dublin 2 29984G 

SUMMER 2006 – SOLUTION 

Across 

1. Superintendent 7. Ransom 12. Spiral 14. Taxation 15. Phial 16. Peri 

17. Era 19. Doge 21. Tankard 23. Flamingo 26. Spa 27. On record 

28. Ray 30. Near 31. Harp 34. Area 36. Violence 37. Scorpion 

39. Diary 40. Flagrant 42. Odometer 43. Tosh 44. Bald 47. Fine 48. USA 

51. Broccoli 52. Via 54. Contrite 56. Assists 59. Eric 60. Rye 61. Also 

63. Tinge 64. Four iron 65. Innate 67. Saddle 68. Blue Suede Shoes 

ACROSS 

1. Overweight. (3) 

3. Gardener's transport 

equipment. (11) 

8. It might result in the 

creation of a province, (6) 

9 and 10. If you become a 

victim of this crime, will 

you not know who you 

are? (8,5) 

11. Telling fibs. (5) 

13. Make broader. (5) 

15. Invalidate what might be 

fully in. (7) 

16. Hoped to dispel despair. 

(7) 

20. Prepared. (5) 

21. Oh, can it return as a 

Mexican snack? (5) 

23. Segment. (5) 

24. Legal process to bring 

someone into the family. 

(8) 

25. Tiredness and confusion 

caused by long-distance 

flying. (6) 

26. Mislay the piece of 

ground and be all at sea. 

(4,3,4) 

27. Perish. (3) 

DOWN 

1. With which to write 

when you're gushing 

with ideas? (8,3) 

2. How the flute sat in 

refined fashion. (8) 

3. Cereal crop. (5) 

4. One part of a story; an 

incident. (7) 

5. Cancel, negate. (5) 

6. Dried grape. (6) 

7. Route. (3) 

12. The flying predator 

might be a Lego legend. 

(6,5) 

13. Biscuit you might have 

with ice-cream. (5) 

14. Unlikable. (5) 

17. Revoked a law. (8) 

18. An average cut of 

vegetable. (7) 

19. A religious device that 

half the clues come 

under. (6) 

22. Group of eight. (5) 

23. Fold put in a skirt, for 

example (5) 

24. Feel unwell. (3) 

GARDA REVIEW 

OFFERING A €140 

CASH FIRST PRIZE IN OUR 

OCTOBER CROSSWORD FOR 

THE FIRST CORRECT 

ENTRY DRAWN, WITH TWO 

RUNNER-UP PRIZES OF 

€70 CASH. 

Send your completed entries to: October Crossword, 

Garda Review, Floor 5, Phibsboro Tower, Dublin 7. Entries 

must be received no later than Friday, 17th November 2006. 

Down 

1. Suspense 2. Err 3. Idle 4. Titian 5. Next-door neighbour 6. Noise 

8. Aspen 9. Sri Lanka 10. Malady 11. Knit 13. Apiary 18. Afar 

20. Garda Traffic Corps 22. Acre 24. Innocent 25. Aches 29. Alleged 

31. Happens 32. Pun 33. Mill 35. Acid test 38. Omen 40. Fib 

41. Touch 45. Lessened 46. Fret 48. Unison 49. Aver 50. Careless 

53. Cactus 55. Nuance 57. Steal 58. Safe 59. Equal 62. Size 66. Noh 

CROSSWORD 


inthejob 

PROMOTION NOTIFICATIONS 

Notification is hereby given of the promotion to the rank and pay of Sergeant of the undernamed with effect from 27th July, 2006 

REG. NO. NAME DIVISION 

25270MGerard Newton Longford/Westmeath 

24170K Philip Farrell Carlow/Kildare 

26334F Thomas Clarke Operational Support Unit 

27301E Vincent O’Sullivan Cork City 

26830E Aaron Gormley Louth/Meath 

00846L Mary Crehan DMR North 

26547MBrian O’Keeffe DMR East 

26970MConor Dillon Cork City 

26625F Colin Furlong Garda College 

25780L James Curran DMR South 

25856C James Mulligan Limerick 

27830MKenneth Coughlan Human Resource Management 

25119D Donal Griffin DMR East 

25196H Michael Gallagher Sligo/Leitrim 

26451B David Ferriter Wexford/Wicklow 

26852F John Reynolds DMR South Central 

25449E Peter Whelan Special Detective Unit 

01187H Claire Mulligan Louth/Meath 

25104F Cormac Jevens Security and Intelligence 

TRANSFERS 

The transfer of the following shall take effect as set out hereunder :- 

REG. NO. NAME RANK FROM TO DATE 

17349E Patrick Brehony C/Supt Crumlin Blanchardstown 01/08/2006 

17936A John Manley C/Supt D.M.R. Office Crumlin 01/08/2006 

19672L Thady Muldoon Supt. Bray Kevin Street 01/08/2006 

20607E Michael Lernihan Supt. Internal Audit Bray 01/08/2006 

22416B Walter O’Sullivan Insp. Clondalkin Coolock 01/08/2006 

21944D James McGowan Insp. Bridewell Raheny 14/08/2006 

23710H John J. Keane Insp. Clondalkin Lucan 14/08/2006 

24509G Patrick Lordan Insp. Crumlin Tallaght 14/08/2006 

22747A Robert Reynolds Insp. Tallaght Terenure 03/08/2006 

23720E John Quilter Insp. Anglesea St. Mayfield 18/08/2006 

21367E Thomas McMenamin Sergt. Newtown-cunningham Sligo 15/08/2006 

25107MVincent Haughney Sergt. Clontarf Crime & Security 19/09/2006 

23879A Joseph Sweeney Sergt. Blacklion Rooskey 08/09/2006 

00761G Elaine Horan Sergt. Howth Clontarf 15/08/2006 

23922D Michael Feehily Sergt. Burtonport Tuam 15/08/2006 

24554B Patrick Redmond Sergt. Garda College Dungarvan 15/08/2006 

25200L Dara O’Sullivan Sergt. Loughrea Ennis 15/08/2006 

26341K Eamonn Curley Sergt. Roxboro Road Athlone 15/08/2006 

26530F Alan Cullen Sergt. Watercourse Road Roxboro Road 15/08/2006 

24886L James Mc Gonigle Sergt. Glenties Letterkenny 15/08/2006 

25767B Michael Galvin Sergt. Letterkenny Ballyshannon 15/08/2006 

00291G Geraldine Noone Sergt. Sundrive Road Garda College 15/08/2006 

24791L Anthony Mannion Sergt. Store Street Ballymun 15/08/2006 

25027K John O’Flaherty Sergt. Kilmainham Omeath 15/08/2006 

22467G Thomas Flynn Sergt. Castleblayney Trim 12/09/2006 

00708MColette Wheeler Sergt. Communications Centre Kilmainham 15/08/2006 

24978E Aiden Dunne Sergt. Carrignavar Fermoy 14/08/2006 

25247F Michael Moran Sergt. Bridewell Liaison & Protection 08/06/2006 

22447B Denis McCarthy Sergt. Mallow Rd. Watercourse Rd. 01/08/2006 

27160H James Crockett Sergt. Mayfield Anglesea St. 13/07/2006 

01323D Joanne O’Brien Garda Mayfield Watercourse Rd. 01/08/2006 

27952H Paul Cummins Garda Mayfield Watercourse Rd. 01/08/2006 

28046A Timothy Walsh Garda Mayfield Watercourse Rd. 31/07/2006 

31453F James Butler Garda Mayfield Watercourse Rd. 17/07/2006 

01144D Mary Skehan Garda Watercourse Rd. Anglesea St. 01/08/2006 

22485E John James Garda Watercourse Rd. Mallow Rd. 31/07/2006 

01026L Martha McEnery Garda Togher Carrigaline 01/08/2006 

25902MConor Fitzpatrick Garda Togher Crosshaven 01/08/2006 

29084L Marie Kenneally Garda Togher Bishopstown 01/08/2006 

00571A Fiona Byrne Garda Bishopstown Togher 01/08/2006 

31684K David Hickey Garda Bishopstown Togher 01/08/2006 

29472A Patrick Connery Garda Carrigaline Togher 01/08/2006 

28247B Frances Murphy Garda Douglas Togher 01/08/2006 

30445L Finbarr Lawton Garda Togher Carrigaline 01/08/2006 

23795G Timothy Twomey Garda Togher Bishopstown 01/08/2006 

00218F Mary McMenamin Garda Letterkenny Sligo 15/08/2006 

00874E Marie O’Reilly Garda Ballymote Manorhamilton 19/09/2006 

26332L Kenneth Madden Garda Drumkerrin Carrick-on-Shannon 19/09/2006 

26558F Alan McGroary Garda Blacklion Kinlough 19/09/2006 

30544H Michael Lynch Garda Greystones Shankill 01/08/2006 

30929L Adrian Ffrench Garda Tullamore Portlaoise 19/09/2006 

31220G Patrick O’Connell Garda Portlaoise Tullamore 19/09/2006 

27212D Derek Kenny Garda Communications Centre Liaison & Protection 19/09/2006 

00405G Madeleine McHugh Garda Information Technology Liaison & Protection 19/09/2006 

29728C Bernice McGowan Garda Salthill Oranmore 19/09/2006 

29370K Fergal O’Callaghan Garda Henry Street Waterford 19/09/2006 

30008L Roisin Hayes Garda Waterford Henry Street 19/09/2006 

24411B William Walsh Garda Malahide Ardrahan 12/09/2006 

27933A Michael O’Dwyer Garda Thurles Cahir 14/08/2006 

26648E Mark Darmody Garda Cashel Cahir 14/08/2006 

26296L Michael Fagan Garda Trim Enfield 28/08/2006 

31603B Henry Ward Garda Fermoy Mitchelstown 21/08/2006 

29661K James Hendrick Garda Fermoy Kildorrery 28/08/2006 

27851C Bridget O’Sullivan Garda Kildorrery Fermoy 04/09/2006 

27015F Sean Trainor Garda Mallow Doneraile 28/08/2006 

26338K John Killigrew Garda Midleton Youghal 28/08/2006 

21121D James Moynihan Garda Buttevant Charleville 30/08/2006 

30567G John Moynihan Garda Waterford Dungarvan 01/08/2006 

30824B Philip Ryan Garda Drogheda Laytown 24/08/2006 

00335B Dympna Watson Garda Castletown Conyers Abbeyfeale 05/09/2006 

00619L Yvonne Mullally Garda Longford Mullingar 19/09/2006 

25300F Michael Dineen Garda Douglas Anglesea St. 08/09/2006 

28592G Don Healy Garda Gurranabraher Anglesea St. 08/09/2006 

26852F John Reynolds Sergt. Fitzgibbon St. Mountjoy 12/09/2006 

23207F Michael Mulloney Sergt. Dungarvan Callan 11/09/2006 

26025H Anthony Connaughton Sergt. Terenure Crumlin 25/09/2006 

27651MGlen Kelly Garda Kevin Street Kilmainham 28/08/2006 

31645H James Kelly Garda Kevin Street Kilmainham 28/06/2006 

31583H Alan Cummins Garda Kevin Street Kilmainham 28/06/2006 

00786B Carol Roe Garda F.L O. Garda College 03/10/2006 

IN THE JOB 


REG. NO. NAME 

27305H Mark Gavin 

24517H Kevin Glackin 

28979E Sean O’Herlihy 

00926A Yvonne Darley 

29995B Colm Collins 

26860G Joseph O’Donoghue 

27900E Bernadette Kelleher 

29464MPatrick Gardiner 

30185L Sarah O’Connell 

29237MEamon Donohue 

19745K Terence Keenan 

20567B David Cormican 

29422E Tara Mulhall 

27563H Frank Noonan 

21762L Stephen Tighe 

25025B Peter Magarahan 

26823B Patrick Higgins 

01362E Niamh O’Brien 

23472K Anthony O’Flynn 

26140H Patrick Keegan 

23521MAnthony Brennan 

28712A John Shanahan 

26692B Patrick Melody 

29365B Mark Mannix 

21459MPatrick Broderick 

27457G Liam Reilly 

25774E Brian Galvin 

00992L Christina Mannion 

29034C Hazel Carney 

20510K James Berry 

27948L Catherine O’Donoghue 

27964A James Gallagher 

27673A Gary Bigley 

28055MMark Hobson Shaw 

26543H Michael Burke 

01336F Emma Doyle 

31185E Siobhan McAuliffe 

31518D Helena Burns 

26821F Brian Freyne 

24923H John O’Neill 

28297K James Morris 

28049F Ruairi Ryan 

27848C Philomena Walshe 

29158G Michael Twomey 

29779H Lynda Brosnan 

29545MCiara Savage 

27775D Michael Ryan 

29985E Thomas O’Connor 

28733D Gillian Hickey 

01281E Angela Higgins 

29039D Claire Sheehan 

31025E Lucy McLoughlin 

31046H Cathal Ryan 

31056E Paula Torpey 

31068K Jason O’Flaherty 

31084MGary Morris 

31140E Donal Doyle 

31159F Thomas Commane 

31165M Matthew O’Mahony 

29593MCormac O’Bric 

28045C Nicholas Keogh 

28800D James Walsh 

28918C Alwyn Howard 

29766F Michael Kelly 

28347K Joseph McBride 

27833E William Byrne 

28443B Emma Skinner 

31047F Nora O’Flaherty 

25557B Ronan Devaney 

28225A Philip Ellard 

28479C Raymond Roche 

28884E John Kenny 

28878MVeronica Walshe 

28115H Joseph Handy 

26991C Michael McNamara 

01123A Majella Guinan 

01160C Alma Molloy 

31971F Paul McCarthy 

31884A Pauline Shovelin 

31938D Evelyn O’Mahoney 

25265D Patrick Gallagher 

26969G Derek Clancy 

27618K John Farmer 

27943K Brian Canny 

28669K Mary Clancy 

31094H Damien Travers 

31074C Alan Kelly 

31088C Paraic Moran 

31129D Caroline Gleeson 

30195G Edward Kenneally 

27421F Brendan McGrath 

26753H Shane Davern 

30742D Marie McCarthy 

27676F Michael Hall 

26923K Declan Hartley 

29946D Ciaran Cassidy 

30855B John Hennessy 

29905G William Gaynor 

30492A Ross O’Donovan 

30416F David Conway 

29281H Seamus Fitzgerald 

31731D Owen O’Donnell 

29056D Daryl Mullen 

24646H Thomas Bourke 

RANK 

Garda 
















































































Sergt. 

Sergt. 























FROM 

Clontarf 

Raheny 

Command & Control 

Newbridge 

Ennistymon 

Ennistymon 

Shannon 

Ennis 

Ennis 

Galway 

Maam 

Loughrea 

Portlaoise 

Hackballscross 

Enniscrone 

Newbliss 

Sligo 

Clonmel 

Clonmel 

Kilkenny 

Granard 

Bruff 

Roxboro Rd. 

Roxboro Rd. 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Glenamoy 

Claremorris 

Westport 

Ballinrobe 

Tralee 

Castlerea 

Castlerea 

New Ross 

Wicklow 

Command & Control 

Waterford 

Kildare 

Kill-O-Grange 

Newbridge 

Bridewell 

Pearse Street 

Shankill 

Pearse Street 

Store Street 

Fitzgibbon St. 

Coolock 

Portlaoise 

Thurles 

Tramore 

Wicklow 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Shannon 

Blanchardstown 

Bray 

Nenagh 

Wicklow 

Naas 

Store Street 

Harcourt Tce. 

Pearse Street 

Rathmines 

G.N.I.B. 

Bridewell 

Terenure 

Naas 

Celbridge 

Celbridge 

Mallow 


Arklow 

Wexford 

Castlebar 

Castlebar 

Delvin 

Thurles 

Kill O Grange 

Pearse Street 

Store Street 

Bray 

Bray 

Bray 

Bray 

Dublin Airport 

Shankill 

Mitchelstown 

Fermoy 

Dun Laoghaire 

Dun Laoghaire 

Dun Laoghaire 

Dun Laoghaire 

Dun Laoghaire 

Dun Laoghaire 

Dun Laoghaire 

Kill O Grange 

Swinford 

Castlebar 

Crime & Security 

TO 

Waterford 

Santry 

H.R.M. 

Kilcullen 

Lahinch 

Miltown Malbay 

Newmarket on Fergus 

Sixmilebridge 

Killaloe 

Athenry 

Clifden 

Galway 

Abbeyleix 

Omeath 

Ballina 

Monaghan 

Manorhamilton 

Cahir 

Cahir 

Castlecomer 

Ballymahon 

Henry Street 

Henry Street 

Henry Street 

Killaloe 

Killaloe 

Ballina 

Castlebar 

Castlebar 

Castlebar 

Killarney 

Roscommon 

Tuam 

Wexford 

Gorey 

Henry Street 

Fermoy 

Buncrana 

Granard 

Douglas 

Clonakilty 

Waterford 

Thomastown 

Kenmare 

Bruff 

Tullamore 

Portlaoise 

Coolock 

Castlerea 

Maynooth 

Bridewell 

Tullamore 

Bruff 

Ennis 

Macroom 

Cobh 

Wexford 

Fermoy 

Watercourse Road 

Midleton 

Ballynacargy 

Ennis 

Celbridge 

Fermoy 

Coolock 

Clondalkin 

Shankill 

Dun Laoghaire 

Celbridge 

Henry Street 

Henry Street 

Carlow 

Athy 

Naas 

Newcastlewest 

Waterford 

Wexford 

Arklow 

Ballina 

Belmullet 

Mullingar 

Mayorstone 

Mayorstone 

Mayorstone 

Mayorstone 

Greystones 

Greystones 

Greystones 

Greystones 

Clontarf 

Castlerea 

Fermoy 

Mitchelstown 

Kill O Grange 

Dalkey 

Dalkey 

Cabinteely 

Cabinteely 

Kill O Grange 

Kill O Grange 

Dun Laoghaire 

Castlebar 

Ballinrobe 

Criminal Assets Bureau 

DATE 

03/10/2006 

12/09/2006 

13/09/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

21/09/2006 

12/10/2006 

14/09/2006 

14/09/2006 

11/09/2006 

10/10/2006 

25/09/2006 

25/09/2006 

25/09/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

08/09/2006 

08/09/2006 

08/09/2006 

03/10/2006 

25/09/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

10/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

19/09/2006 

19/09/2006 

10/10/2006 

21/09/2006 

21/09/2006 

21/09/2006 

21/09/2006 

18/10/2006 

18/10/2006 

18/10/2006 

18/10/2006 

15/09/2006 

10/10/2006 

25/09/2006 

25/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

18/09/2006 

03/10/2006 

03/10/2006 

20/09/2006 

ALLOCATION OF NEWLY PROMOTED PERSONNEL 

The allocation of the following recently promoted personnel shall take effect as set out hereunder :- 

REG. NO. NAME RANK FROM TO DATE 

20477C John O’Mahoney C/Supt N.B.C.I. D.M.R. Office 01/08/06 

25270MGerard Newton Sergt. Longford Glenties 15/08/06 

24170K Philip Farrell Sergt. Kilcullen G.C.V.U., Thurles 15/08/06 

26334F Thomas Clarke Sergt. Garda Air Support Unit Sundrive Road 15/08/06 

27301E Vincent O’Sullivan Sergt. Gurranabraher Watercourse Road 15/08/06 

26830E Aaron Gormley Sergt. Balbriggan Blanchardstown 15/08/06 

00846L Mary Crehan Sergt. Howth Finance & Procurement 15/08/06 

26547MBrian O’Keeffe Sergt. Kill - 0 - Grange Pearse Street 15/08/06 

26970MConor Dillon Sergt. Togher Carrigaline 15/08/06 

26625F Colin Furlong Sergt. Garda College Garda College 15/08/06 

IN THE JOB 


REG. NO. 

25780L 

25856C 

27830M 

25119D 

25196H 

26451B 

26852F 

25449E 

01187H 

25104F 

NAME 

James Curran 

James Mulligan 

Kenneth Coughlan 

Donal Griffin 

Michael Gallagher 

David Ferriter 

John Reynolds 

Peter Whelan 

Claire Mulligan 

Cormac Jevens 

RANK 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 

FROM TO 

Rathmines Store Street 

Mayorstone ParkSalthill 

H.R.M. Castleblayney 

Dun Laoghaire Tallaght 

Sligo Manorhamilton 

Wexford Bray 

Pearse Street Fitzgibbon Street 

Special Detective Unit Ballyfermot 

Kilmainham Communications Centre 

Security and Intelligence Howth 

DATE 

15/08/06 

15/08/06 

12/09/06 

15/08/06 

15/08/06 

15/08/06 

15/08/06 

15/08/06 

15/08/06 

15/08/06 

ALLOCATIONS 

The allocation of the following personnel shall take effect as set out hereunder :- 

REG. NO. 

22416B 

21944D 

22653L 

23710H 

24509G 

25107M 

24497L 

27212D 

00405G 

24804E 

26397D 

27410M 

29411L 

24411B 

19745K 

26357E 

21762L 

01171A 

00485E 

20958K 

20988M 

23846E 

24646H 

26863A 

NAME 

Walter O’Sullivan 

James McGowan 

Peter O’Boyle 

John J. Keane 

Patrick Lordan 

Vincent Haughney 

John Connolly 

Derek Kenny 

Madeleine McHugh 

John Shortall 

Finbarr O’Sullivan 

James Curry 

Martin Keohane 

William Walsh 

Terence Keenan 

Martin Kelly 

Stephen Tighe 

Alma Fahy 

Michelle Berry 

Kenneth Creegan 

Nicholas Kelly 

Alphonsus Martyn 

Thomas Bourke 

Daniel O’Keeffe 

RANK 

Insp. 

Insp. 

Insp. 

Insp. 

Insp. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 













Sergt. 

Sergt. 

Sergt. 



STATION ALLOCATION DATE 

CoolockDetective Duties 01/08/06 

Raheny Detective Duties 14/08/06 

Clondalkin Detective Duties 14/08/06 

Lucan Detective Duties 14/08/06 

Tallaght Detective Duties 14/08/06 

Crime & Security Detective Duties 19/09/06 

Mullingar Crime Prevention Officer 24/08/06 

Liaison & Protection Detective Duties 19/09/06 

Liaison & Protection Detective Duties 19/09/06 

Waterford Detective Duties 05/06/06 

Waterford Detective Duties 05/06/06 

Tramore Detective Duties 05/06/06 

Dungarvan Detective Duties 05/06/06 

Ardrahan Official Accommodation 12/09/06 

Clifden Detective Duties 03/10/06 

Abbeyleix Detective Duties 03/10/06 

Ballina Detective Duties 03/10/06 

Abbeyleix District Clerk03/08/06 

Ennistymon District Clerk09/08/06 

Portlaoise Detective Duties 27/09/06 

Drogheda Detective Duties 10/10/06 

Navan Detective Duties 10/10/06 

C.A.B. Detective Duties 20/09/06 

Ennis Official Accommodation 22/05/06 

ALLOCATIONS WITHIN GARDA HEADQUARTERS 

The allocation of the following personnel shall take effect as set out hereunder :- 

REG. NO. 

23667E 

22496M 

00524L 

NAME 

Martin Higgins 

Jeremiah Twomey 

Audrey Dormer 

RANK 


Sergt. 

Sergt. 

FROM 

Liaison & Protection 

Crime & Security 

H.R.M. 

TO 

Defence Unit 

Details 

Commissioner’s Office 

DATE 

28/08/06 

11/09/06 

25/09/06 

ALLOCATION OF PROBATIONER GARDAI 

The allocation of the following Probationer Gardai from the Garda College shall take effect as set out hereunder on the 8th September 2006 :- 

REG. NO. NAME TO 

31224L Christopher Glennon Kevin Street 

31294M Kevin Burke New Ross 

31483H Demetrius Doherty Shannon 

31488K Deborah Deering Lucan 

31495A Mark Butler Coolock 

31547H Gary Mahon Ennis 

31552D Brendan Flaherty Westport 

31638E Tim O’Sullivan Bridewell 

31674A Brian Mitchell Bridewell 

31724A Edward Magee Dun Laoghaire 

31726H Elizabeth Gallivan Henry Street 

31727F Brendan Kearns Donnybrook 

31728D Thomas Wafer Sundrive Road 

31729B Donal Bigley Portlaoise 

31730F Diane Collins Killarney 

31731D Owen O’Donnell Swinford 

31732B Sabrina Scally Tuam 

31733M Daniel Hickey Shannon 

31734K Vincent Hurley Shannon 

31735G Sandra Brennan Pearse Street 

31736E Fiona Connell Letterkenny 

31737C Anthony McGee Buncrana 

31738A Eoin Quill Crumlin 

31739L Laura Martyn Shannon 

31741A Sandra Nolan Bridewell 

31743H Ronan Stanley Enniscorthy 

31744F Damien Fenlon Shankill 

31745D Susan Keane Shannon 

31746B Clodagh Kenny Thurles 

31747M John Pirollo Santry 

31748K Michael Burke Clondalkin 

31749G Stephen Kinneavy Tallaght 

31750M Ronan O’Malley Clondalkin 

31751K Sean McHugh Shannon 

31754C Emma Corcoran Ballyfermot 

31755A Colm Dowd Raheny 

31757A Sean Sillery Santry 

31758F Brendan Sweeney Henry Street 

31759D Niamh Browne Shannon 

31760H Shane Lowney Shannon 

31761F Conor McMorrow Trim 

31762D William Delaney Ennis 

31764M Suzanne Gordon Shannon 

31765K Darren Cahalane Shannon 

31766G Noreen Fealy Shannon 

31767E David Noonan Bantry 

31768C Aisling O’Brien Shannon 

31769A Bernard McLoughlin Buncrana 

31770E Elaine Murtagh Donnybrook 

31771C Niamh Logan Athlone 

31772A Maria Barrett Malahide 

31773L Kevin BrannickShannon 

31774H Nigel Donegan Dun Laoghaire 

31775F Sean Twomey Shannon 

31776D Hugh O’Donnell Claremorris 

31777B Peter Lyons Terenure 

31778M Trevor Sheehan Ennis 

31779K John Callanan Shannon 

31780B Patrick O’Connor Fermoy 

31781M Carrie O’Connor Store Street 

31782K David Hannigan Shannon 

31783G Jonathan Cahill Shannon 

31784E Robert Rowe Fitzgibbon Street 

31785C Christine Bergin Roxboro Road 

31786A John Sheils Navan 

31787L Alan Douglas Ronanstown 

31788H Lee Gavin Pearse Street 


31789F Niamh Curtin Shannon 

31790L Mark Fitzpatrick Coolock 

31791H Paul O’Sullivan Wicklow 

31793D Adrian Corcoran Portlaoise 

31794B James Quirke Macroom 

31795M Peter Finnan Rathfarnham 

31797G James McGovern Sligo 

31798E Eoin Dempsey Shannon 

31799C Lynda Ryan Newbridge 

31800M Siobhan Ronayne Roxboro Road 

31801K James WoodlockKilkenny 

31802G Alan Higgins Kildare 

31804C Padraic Kelly Galway 

31805A Stephen Gillespie Tallaght 

31806L Alan O’Neill Crumlin 

31807H Paula Harkin Lucan 

31808F Jamie Swan Sundrive Road 

31809D Ian KennefickEnnis 

31811F Conor MacCarthy Midleton 

31812D Rachel McGrath Midleton 

31813B Suzanne Byrne Bray 

31814M Michael O’Sullivan Clonakilty 

31815K Nevan Hartley Tallaght 

31816G Mary Carolan Dun Laoghaire 

31817E Stephen Byrne Blanchardstown 

31818C Niall Keenan Drogheda 

31819A Caroline Keogh Watercourse Road 

31820E Declan O’Dwyer Shannon 

31821C Michelle Whelan Finglas 

31822A Avril Byrne Waterford 

31823L Thomas Delaney Shannon 

31825F Geraldine Doyle Shannon 

31826D Edel Maher Portlaoise 

31827B Louise Caulfield Store Street 

31828M Sarah Geoghegan Shannon 

31829K Selina Proudfoot Coolock 

31830B Gareth Mcardle Navan 

31831M Brenda Healy Shannon 

31832K Michelle Murphy Finglas 

31833G Hilary Daly Shannon 

31834E John McNulty Shannon 

31836A Olwyn Murphy Terenure 

31837L Stephen O’Neill Tallaght 

31838H Lena Standish Shannon 

31839F John Harrington Watercourse Road 

31840L Enda Dowling Harcourt Terrace 

31841H Gerard Curtis Store Street 

31842F Claire O’Sullivan Nenagh 

31843D Karen Reilly Dundalk 

31844B Fergal O’Grady Galway 

31845M Donal Kelly Shannon 

31846K Shane Moriarty Pearse Street 

31847G Desmond Curry Rathmines 

31848E Eileen O’Reilly Longford 

31849C Elizabeth O’Sullivan Bantry 

31850G Louise Duffy Pearse Street 

31851E Colm Duggan Dun Laoghaire 

31852C Seamus O’Donovan Kevin Street 

31853A Jane Hickey Waterford 

31855H Robert Hennessy Coolock 

31856F William O’Keeffe Finglas 

31857D Donal McDonnell Shannon 

31858B Orla Leahy Shannon 

31859M Daniel Holden Store Street 

31861B Siobhan Barry Killarney 

31862M Brian O’Shea Malahide 

31863K Mary Linnane Tralee 

IN THE JOB 



31864G Anastasia O’Brien Tullamore 

31865E Ian Sheedy Tallaght 

31866C John Moore Dun Laoghaire 

31867A Colm Ryan Mountjoy 

31868L John Duggan Sligo 

31869H Ronan Allen Ballyfermot 

31870A David Sharkey Pearse Street 

31871L David Murphy Listowel 

31872H Fearghal McCarthy Bailieboro 

31873F Anthony Lyons Waterford 

31874D Martin Taggart Tipperary Town 

31875B Robert Sheehy Shannon 

31876M Rachel Murdiff Fitzgibbon Street 

31877K Mark Higgins Santry 

31878C Donal Moynihan Henry Street 

31879E Fearghal Coffey Shannon 

31880K Patrick Greene Terenure 

31881G Claire Courtney Shannon 

31883C Joanne Fleming Shannon 

31884A Pauline Shovelin Castlebar 

31885L Conor Drury Letterkenny 

31886H Elaine Scannell Kanturk 

31887F Ian Abbey Dundrum 

31888D Gerard Breen Henry Street 

31890F Niall Kenny Clondalkin 

31891D James Lyons Midleton 

31893M Kerrie-Ann Deegan Waterford 

31894K Brian Murphy Mayfield 

31895G Alan Gleeson Coolock 

31896E Jacinta Chalmers Shannon 

31897C Alan Burke Clonmel 

31898A Karl Foley Trim 

31899L Shane Behan Pearse Street 

31900G Donal Meade Henry Street 

31901E Conor Foley Naas 

31902C Timothy O’Sullivan Henry Street 

31903A Keith Barnes Roxboro Road 

31904L Brian Hanrahan Henry Street 

31905H Michael O’Brien Clonmel 

31906F Sean Kenny Clonmel 

31907D Brian O’Callaghan Santry 

31909M Ronan Quinn Dun Laoghaire 

31910D Peter Blessing Mullingar 

31911B Robert Barber Kevin Street 

31912M Eoin McDonnell Donnybrook 

31913K Robbie Byrne Blanchardstown 

31914G Tomas O’Griofa Sligo 

31915E David Conlon Shannon 

31916C Derek Malone Dundrum 

31918L Sarah Carroll Shankill 

31919H Niall Kennedy Store Street 

31920A Steve Feeney Dundalk 

31921L David Costigan Shankill 

31922H Gavin O’Driscoll Listowel 

31923F Finbar Carroll Sligo 

31924D Norma Feery Naas 

31925B Eoghan Conneely Sligo 

31926M Adrian Cole Gurranabraher 


31927K Paul O’Leary Store Street 

31928G Colin Egan Ennis 

31930K Paul Dempsey Bray 

31931G John McCormackRoxboro Road 

31932E Marius Stones Ennis 

31933C Margaret O’Brien Henry Street 

31934A Natasha Gurn Store Street 

31935L Chris Power Shannon 

31938D Evelyn O’Mahoney Castlebar 

31939B Amy Kelly Pearse Street 

31940F Carol Slattery Kanturk 

31941D Danielle Cummins Rathfarnham 

31942B Patrick Culhane Crumlin 

31943M Joanne O’Sullivan Naas 

31944K Melissa Nallen Shannon 

31945G Kevin Drennan Rathfarnham 

31946E Jason Lardner Ennis 

31947C Shane O’Brien Crumlin 

31948A Sinead O’Connell Wicklow 

31950C Samantha O’Connor Malahide 

31951A Peter Breen Bridewell 

31952L Ian Lynott Shannon 

31953H Tracey Elliffe Drogheda 

31954F Seamus Palmer Bray 

31955D Colm Murray Raheny 

31956B Paula Cullen Shannon 

31957M Donnacha Coakley Henry Street 

31958K Alan Cassidy Gurranabraher 

31959G Tom O’Connor Buncrana 

31960M Andrea Coonan Mullingar 

31961K David Smith Wicklow 

31962G Mark Anthony Bolger Kevin Street 

31963E Mark Cogan Clondalkin 

31964C Joyce O’Grady Birr 

31965A Anna Marie Conlon Pearse Street 

31966L Shane Prendergast Loughrea 

31967H John Cahill Tramore 

31968F Davide Laird Dundrum 

31971F Paul McCarthy Arklow 

31973B Stephen Flaherty Shannon 

31974M David Clarke Galway 

31975K Steve Byrne Terenure 

31976G John Cahalin Castlebar 

31977E Adrian Cahill Malahide 

31979A Stephen Walsh Blanchardstown 

31980E Daniel Coughlan Shannon 

31983L Donna Egan Shannon 

31984H Eoin McGrath Wicklow 

31985F Conor Cronin Henry Street 

31987B Matthew Donnellan Raheny 

31988M Paul Kelly Store Street 

31991M Robert Ryland Shannon 

31992K Peter Coates Mountjoy 

31993G Joseph Wyse Waterford 

31994E Conor Doyle Shannon 

31995C Mary Armstrong Henry Street 

31996A Helen Murray Balbriggan 

CORE MODULE IN BATCHELOR OF ARTS (POLICE MANAGEMENT) DEGREE COURSE FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2006-2007 

The following member has been successful in his application for the above. 

REG. NO. 

20848E 

RANK 

Superintendent 

NAME 

Majella Ryan 

STATION 

Ballyconnell 

FOUNDATION MODULE IN BATCHELOR OF ARTS (POLICE MANAGEMENT) DEGREE COURSE FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2006-2007 

The following members have been successful in their application for the above. 

REG. NO. 

17961B 

17472F 

24235G 

21675E 

20672E 

21636D 

21234B 

24233M 

17695H 

22469C 

20756L 

22572L 

20327M 

20623G 

21196F 

24042G 

20617B 

21858H 

23401L 

20845M 

22509F 

RANK 

D/Superintendent 








D/Inspector 

D/Inspector 

D/Inspector 

D/Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

Inspector 

NAME STATION 

Patrick J. Browne Pearse Street 

John Mulligan G.N.D.U. 

Dominic Hayes N.B.C.I. 

Joseph O’Connor Monaghan 

Anthony J. Cogan Thurles 

Michael Devine Navan 

Francis Clerkin Regional Traffic DIvision 

Paul Moran Tipperary Town 

Gerard Harrington N.B.C.I. 

Michael Larkin S.D.U. 

John O’Driscoll N.B.C.I. 

William M. Johnston Crime and Security 

Declan Brogan Regional Traffic Division 

Mark Keaveney Specialist Training 

Francis KennefickRonanstown 

William P. Duane Anglesea Street 

Cornelius O’Halloran Store Street 

Brendan Connolly Pearse Street 

Martin J. McGonnell Donnybrook 

Richard McDonnell Pearse Street 

Declan Mulcahy Henry Street 

DIPLOMA IN CONFLICT AND DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS STUDIES – TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN 

The following members have been successful in their application for the Scholarship for the Diploma in Conflict and Dispute Resolutions Studies at Trinity 

College Dublin. 

REG. NO. 

23637C 

00435K 

24430K 

RANK 

Sergeant 

Sergeant 


NAME 

Anthony Twomey 

Maria Conefry 

Michael Molloy 

STATION 

Clondalkin 

Dun Laoghaire 

Cabra 

FOUNDATION IN POLISH LANGUAGE, DUBLIN 

The following members have been successful in their application for the Foundation in Polish Language in Dublin. 

REG. NO. RANK NAME STATION 

22979B Sergeant Paul Kinsella Garda Air Support Unit 

00829L Garda Sinead O’Hara Press Office 

01382L Garda Mary Gilmartin Thurles 

26896L Garda Owen O’Mahony Santry 

27670G Garda Sean Maxwell Santry 

IN THE JOB 


UNITED NATIONS 

The following members shall from the dates stated return from tour of duty set out hereunder:- 

REG. NO. 

19057H 

23872D 

23251C 

25291C 

00916D 

21263F 

24527E 

26103C 

23057L 

25897M 

00852D 

NAME 

Denis Hilliard 

John O’Connor 

Aidan Lynham 

William Lawton 

Eileen Kelly 

Cyril Finney 

Denis Callagy 

James Kelly 

Michael Drew 

Joseph Curran 

Maria Flynn 

RANK DEPLOYED FROM 

Insp.Cyprus 

Sergt.Cyprus 

Sergt.Cyprus 

Garda Cyprus 








DATE 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

27/08/2006 

The following members shall from the date stated commence tour of duty set out hereunder:- 

REG. NO. 

19114M 

00812E 

25058K 

27150M 

18398K 

26962L 

27508E 

00345L 

25769K 

26749L 

23515F 

NAME 

Michael Cowley 

Patricia Gill 

Kevin O’Hagan 

Michael Hickey 

John O’Brien 

Aengus Hussey 

Brian Crummey 

Therese Flannery 

Kieran Elliott 

John Crowley 

James O’Keeffe 

RANK DEPLOYED TO 

Insp.Cyprus 

Sergt.Cyprus 

Sergt.Cyprus 









STATION 

Drogheda 

Pearse Street 

Store Street 

Waterford 

G.N.I.B. 

Mountjoy 


Ennis 

Cahir 

Mayfield 

Kilbeggan 

DATE 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

14/08/2006 

RETIREMENTS, DEATHS & DISCHARGES 

REG. NO. 

30092F 

30193M 

18036L 

18421G 

19631B 

27179K 

20596F 

00392A 

17031C 

19728K 

20519B 

17443B 

20049B 

29474H 

17372L 

22161K 

29451K 

17859D 

17519F 

18586H 

30806D 

29701A 

19729G 

26150E 

21017L 

28267G 

30112D 

19719L 

18284B 

18418G 

18042D 

18379B 

20353L 

20359K 

20398L 

19036E 

20123E 

20367L 

20376K 

19880C 

31125A 

29017C 

19721A 

26909C 

18209E 

18239G 

17661C 

28056K 

19730M 

21265B 

22529M 

19852H 

18912L 

29575B 

17533A 

21511B 

30176M 

17595A 

17146H 

17734B 

NAME 

Mary Lardner 

Brian Lenehan 

William Redmond 

William Hardiman 

Aidan O’Dea 

Michael Gregg 

Paul Farrelly 

Colette Ivanoff 

Michael Coleman 

Alexander Moffitt 

Michael Quinlan 

Noel Power 

Kevin Lynch 

Sean O’Malley 

Bernard Flannery 

Patrick Kilcullen 

Paul Caffrey 

Brian Duane 

Patrick Gleeson 

John Killeen 

Colin McSharry 

Declan Freney 

William Connor 

Rodney Harris 

John Dooley 

Elizabeth O’Sullivan 

David Pepper 

John O’Driscoll 

Brendan Martin 

Michael Larkin 

Daniel Murphy 

Peter Murphy 

Michael Dunne 

James Egan 

Joseph Morrison 

John Farrell 

Timothy McCarthy 

Michael Prendergast 

Michael O’Hara 

John Hobbs 

Philip Kelly 

Brian Byrne 

James Mitchell 

Kenneth Burns 

Michael Noone 

John Kennedy 

James Treacy 

Gerard Garland 

Patrick Mullen 

Donal Thorp 

Patrick Cahill 

Thomas McKenna 

Gearoid MacGabhann 

Michael Henderson 

Jeremiah Kerrisk 

Liam Donnelly 

Aonghus O’Sullivan 

Thomas Britton 

William Donoghue 

Roderick Flynn 

RANK STATION EFFECTIVE DATE 

Garda Birr 19/06/2006 

Garda Shannon 27/07/2006 

Insp Coolock 01/08/2006 

Sergt.Templemore 01/08/2006 

Sergt.Clontarf 01/08/2006 

Garda Ronanstown 04/08/2006 

Garda S.D.U. 06/08/2006 

Garda Procurement 06/08/2006 

Supt.Community Relations 09/08/2006 

Garda Immigration, Dublin Airport 14/08/2006 

Sergt.Kilkenny 14/08/2006 

Garda Waterford 15/08/2006 

Garda Ennis 15/08/2006 

Garda Tuam 15/08/2006 

Sergt.Shankill 16/08/2006 

Garda Stepaside 19/08/2006 

Garda Store Street 22/08/2006 

Garda Immigration, Dublin Airport 24/08/2006 

Garda Traffic Dept.25/08/2006 

Garda Ferrybank 25/08/2006 

Garda Milford 25/08/2006 


Garda Rathangan 27/08/2006 

Garda Fingerprints 27/08/2006 

Garda Glenties 29/08/2006 

Garda Waterford 30/08/2006 


Sergt.Santry 31/08/2006 

Garda Gurranabraher 31/08/2006 

Garda Athlone 31/08/2006 

Garda Dun Laoghaire 01/09/2006 

Garda Swords 01/09/2006 

Garda Enfield 01/09/2006 

Garda Cabinteely 01/09/2006 

Garda Fermoy 01/09/2006 

Sergt.Finea 02/09/2006 

Sergt.Bandon 03/09/2006 

Sergt.Aclare 04/09/2006 

Garda Tubbercurry 04/09/2006 

Garda Castleblayney 05/09/2006 

Garda Fitzgibbon Street 05/09/2006 

Garda Wexford 06/09/2006 

Sergt.Pearse Street 08/09/2006 

Garda Garda Mounted Unit 07/09/2006 

Sergt.Details 09/09/2006 

Garda G.N.I.B. 09/09/2006 

Sergt.Callan 10/09/2006 

Garda Ronanstown 11/09/2006 

Insp.Commissioner’s Office 14/09/2006 

Garda Dalkey 14/09/2006 

Garda Ministerial Pool 15/09/2006 

Sergt.Anglesea Street 15/09/2006 

Sergt.Blanchardstown 16/09/2006 

Garda Bishopstown 17/09/2006 

Garda Mallow 17/09/2006 

Garda Cavan 18/09/2006 

Garda Glenties 18/09/2006 

Sergt.Monaghan 19/09/2006 

C/Supt Pearse Street 20/09/2006 

Garda Thurles 20/09/2006 

CAUSE 

Resignation 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Deceased 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Resignation 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Resignation 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Resignation 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Deceased 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Resignation 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Deceased 

Retirement 

Retirement 

Retirement 

CANCELLATIONS AND AMENDMENTS 

BULLETIN NO. REG. NO. NAME RANK FROM TO DATE 

05/06 30649E Carol Redmond Garda Shannon Naas 31/07/2006 

05/06 31188L Sean O’Sullivan Garda Watercourse Rd.Anglesea St. 16/03/2006 

11/06 00129E Brigid Stack Insp.Liaison & Protection Community Relations 30/06/2006 

14/06 31677F Kevin Walsh Garda Gurranabraher Ballincollig 09/06/2006 

10/06 29902B John Fitzgerald Garda Tallaght Youghal 11/07/2006 

15/06 22467G Thomas Flynn Sergt.Castleblaney Trim 25/09/2006 

15/06 27830M Kenneth Coughlan Sergt. H.R.M. Castleblaney 25/09/2006 

15/06 25300F Michael Dineen Garda Douglas Anglesea St.10/10/2006 

16/06 29158G Michael Twomey Garda Pearse Street Tralee 10/10/2006 

IN THE JOB 


END FRAME 

Does 

anyone 

know 

anything 

about 

this? 

This picture was sent in by a member 

of the Garda Press Office who found 

it at home in his family album – yet 

he has no idea who the members are 

or where they were pictured. If 

anyone can shed any light on this, 

please contact the editor. 

It brings to mind what has now 

become an urban policing myth. One 

winter’s day in Pearse Street Garda 

station the Superintendent had been 

personally bothered by a number of 

youths throwing snowballs at 

passers-by, and this constant nuisance 

caused him considerable 

consternation, as there was no sign of 

a thaw. He detailed that a member 

should be placed on a new duty 

‘snowballs’ and that duty should be 

immediately entered in the station 

ledger. 

Snowballs became a beat. The 

following July there was a heatwave; 

but routine being routine, the member 

assigned to ‘snowballs’ enjoyed 

another day in the sun. 

Lost in 

Translation 

From Garda John Walsh 

A native of Poland was issued with a 

fixed charge notice for speeding in 

February 2006 in Donegal. The man 

produced his Polish Driving Licence 

when stopped, which is a credit card 

type. The detecting Garda then 

recorded details of the offenders 

licence, but in the middle of the address 

he entered the name of the issuing 

authority in Poland, which was entered 

as ‘Prezydent’ which 

END FRAME 


I understand is the Mayor. 

The fixed charge notice was then 

issued from Dublin and was delivered 

to the home address of the Mayor of 

Katowice, Poland who in turn 

forwarded it to the home address of the 

offender; whose mother forwarded it to 

her son in Donegal. When he called to 

Letterkenny Garda station on 22nd May 

he was outside the limit of 56 days and 

payment could not be made. 

WRITE 

FOR €150 

Garda Review will pay readers a princely sum 

of €150 for any short stories published as 

part of the End Frame page. We would like 

short tales to be between 600 and 800 words 

in length, and can be factual or fictional. 

Please include your full name and daytime 

telephone number. If sending material by 

post, please send typed articles copied onto a 

floppy disc. Email welcomed. Work will be 

edited.

Garda Review

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template ?