"Garda Response to Immigration Riots Shows Rudderless Leadership"

"Garda Response to Immigration Riots Shows Rudderless Leadership" – Tóibín

Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has castigated the Minister for Justice’s response and that of the Gardaí to the Immigration riots as rudderless. He stated:

Policing is in crisis in Ireland. The number of Gardaí continue to fall under the Minister Helen McEntee and Garda morale is in the floor. In November 2023, after the horrendous Dublin Riots, the Minister for Justice stated that there would be a full review of the Garda handling of the crisis. 8 months later in July this year I asked the Minister, two simple questions, “if any of the recommendations of the 2018 Garda Inspectorate Report have been implemented; and if so, the actions that have been taken for each recommendation and “if the fundamental review of policing during the Dublin riots has been completed; if so, the recommendations; the actions that have been taken for each of these recommendations”.

“Two months later, in September, the Minister replied and said “It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand”. This is incredible and it leaves me to believe that little or nothing of the 2018 Garda Inspectorate Report has been implemented and the review of the policing of the Dublin Riots may not even exist”.

“It was reported to me at the time of the Dublin Riots that there was no plan put in place early in the day. As protests started to develop only the standard public order unit was on patrol in the city up until 6pm. Theis Unit has only 3 vans, each with 1 driver, a sergeant and 6 Garda. It was only at 6pm that Gardaí were properly mobilised into the city centre from stations around the city. This was done in many cases by Whats App by other Gardaí who were under pressure. It took time to get Gardaí to the location due to traffic in the city”.

“At 7pm Gardaí coming off duty were told that they had to stay on duty and mobilise into the city centre. They had to travel to Santry first to pick up vans, Body Armour and Shields. It was pandemonium in Santry with no structure, not enough shields and body armour and with traffic it was 8 pm before many of these Gardaí got into the city centre. Gardaí were left exposed and vulnerable with at one stage 8 Gardaí being faced down by 50 thugs. The lives and safety of many Gardaí were put at risk by what appears to be little of no structured plans. Not to mention the level of destruction that happened in our city.

“The fact that there has not been a full investigation into the operational mayhem that took place, never mind recommendations being actioned upon highlights the rudderless leadership being provided by the Minister. Statements by the Tánaiste that the court system is taking too long to convict law breakers is also spurious. The criminal justice system is grinding to a halt because we don’t have enough Garda. We don’t have enough judges. We don’t have enough criminal barristers. Wee need to modernise our criminal justice system. It’s a pity the Tánsaiste didn’t grasp the nettle during his last 9 years in government.”

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For Written Answer on : 09/09/2024

Question Number(s): 1057,1058 Question Reference(s): 33908/24, 33909/24

Department: Justice

Asked by: Peadar Tóibín T.D.

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QUESTION

* To ask the Minister for Justice if any of the recommendations of the 2018 Garda Inspectorate Report have been implemented; and if so, the actions that have been taken for each recommendation.

- Peadar Tóibín T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Monday, 9 September, 2024.

* To ask the Minister for Justice if the fundamental review of policing during the Dublin riots has been completed; if so, the recommendations; the actions that have been taken for each of these recommendations.

- Peadar Tóibín T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Monday, 9 September, 2024.

It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.

I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.