Garda body accuses Drew Harris of leaving 'legacy of fear and distrust' at annual conference
DREW HARRIS HAS been accused of leaving a 'legacy of fear and distrust' among gardaí after his almost seven-year stint in the Garda Commissioner job, according to an officers' body.
The Garda Representatives Association (GRA) further accused of Commissioner Drew Harris of dismantling community policing thanks to reforms pushed through during his term overseeing the force.
The GRA kicked off its annual conference this week in Killarney, Co Kerry. At the outset it has outlined a belief that the role of a frontline garda has been diminished and degraded, with this year's conference carrying the theme 'It Was a Job Worth Doing'.
At the core of its criticism was the Operating Policing Model which was introduced in 2019. This has seen a restructuring at regional and divisional levels, with the ambition having been to improve community policing according to the needs of each local community.
But GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin said that Harris has implemented a model of policing that 'isn't working', claiming that it has 'single handedly removed community policing' from Ireland.
The GRA, which represents over 11,000 officers, said that this was because Harris had has tried to implement a 'failed' UK model.
'If you were to analyze the commissioner's term, I suppose you'd have to say that he's implemented an operation policing model that isn't working. He has removed community policing from Ireland, which was the envy of Europe. The system we had, that's completely gone,' Slevin told reporters.
'He's had the biggest budget available to him over his career, over his term of office, yet we still have serious issues in relation to recruitment and retention within the force.
'I believe that the numbers we currently have are the same that were in the force when the Commissioner took up his role, even though the population has increased exponentially.'
Ronan Slevin at today's GRA conference
CONOR Ó MEARÁIN
CONOR Ó MEARÁIN
There is also much anger towards Harris because of a 'severe' discipline and suspension policy, Slevin said, further claiming this has hampered members when using force while policing.
He added that the number of gardaí currently serving is roughly the same as when Harris took up his role, despite promises to increase the number of officers.
Advertisement
Deputy GRA General Secretary James Morrisroe said that community policing is about 'frontline police knowing their communities while being visible and engaged in those communities', which he said allows these gardaí to develop respectful partnerships to solve problems and achieve community safety.
'That is not happening,' Morrisroe said, 'It's plain to see. And I think members of the public tell us on a daily basis, it's not happening.'
Quoting the
Commission on the Future of Policing
, the 2021 report outlining recommendations for the organisation, Morrisroe said that it noted that 'the culture should be one of a team of professionals working together, not a hierarchy where foot soldiers await instructions from above'.
Morrisroe added that the report said that communication should be 'personal interaction' and not written documents.
'We see that every single day in an Garda Síochána, where documents are posted on our portal and we're supposed to read them and train up on them. And that is not what the Commission of the Future of Policing recommended,' Morrisroe said.
'Employees should have the tools, training, uniform, vehicles and equipment needed to do their jobs. Well, we don't, so that's a failure.'
This was the latest edition of the conference where the Garda Commissioner was not invited.
Two years ago, the membership of the association voted overwhelmingly that they had no confidence in Harris and therefore did not invite him to attend.
This has seen the new Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan also not attend the annual gathering.
Contacted for comment, a Garda spokesperson said on behalf of the commissioner that he was happy to work with the GRA and gardaí on the issues raised.
'As he has done in the past, Commissioner Harris would have been more than happy to attend the GRA conference and engage with GRA delegates on important matters for all Gardaí at the GRA conference, as well as recognise the great work done by Gardaí every day in keeping people safe,' the spokesperson said.
'However, the GRA Central Executive Committee has not invited the Garda Commissioner to address and discuss such matters directly with Gardaí at the GRA's Conference.
'An Garda Síochána continues to meet with all Garda Associations, collectively, and separately on a wide range of issues.'
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Sadly missed by loving family' – Tributes pour in for cyclist killed in Kerry road crash as gardai issue appeal
A KERRY man who died in a tragic road accident just days ago has been remembered as "a wonderful man". Paddy O'Donoghue, from Goortahoonig, Killarney, was an avid 2 Paddy was a driving force behind the Ring of Kerry Cycle Credit: 2 The 78-year-old has been remembered as a "gentleman" Credit: He was one of the Sadly, the 78-year old was killed on Tuesday, June 10, after he was struck by a vehicle in Kilgarvan village. The incident occurred on the R569 between 1pm and 2pm. Read more in Irish news A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai continue to appeal for witnesses to this incident to come forward. "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 1pm and 2pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on According to his death notice, Paddy leaves behind a "loving Most read in Irish News He is also remembered by grandchildren Niamh, Dáire, Edward, John, David, Lily Bea, Sadhbh, Sebastian, Abigail, Victoria, Anna, Amelia, Thomas, Hugh, Leonie, Patrick and Oscar. And mourning him are his brother John, sisters Margaret , Kathleen and Anna, daughters-in-law Noelle and Katie, sons-in-law Martin, Charlie, Paul, Marc and Jonathan. Paddy leaves behind a wide circle of in-laws, friends, and neighbours. Tributes have poured in for the passionate cyclist, who was hailed by mourners as a "gentleman". SAD PASSING One person said: "So sorry to learn this awful tragic news. What a gentleman. Rip Paddy." Another put in: "RIP Paddy, a wonderful man." Somebody else said: "Our sincere condolences to Brenda and family on the sad and sudden passing of Paddy. "May he rest in peace and the Lord comfort you all in this time of grief." And a fourth penned: "Our deepest condolences to Brenda and family on the very sad passing of Paddy. "Thinking of you all at this sad time. May Paddy's gentle soul rest in peace." Someone else said: "RIP Paddy, such a sad loss." Plans are underway to dedicate this year's annual Ring of Kerry cycle to the deceased man.
Irish Times
37 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Garda inquiry into Evan Fitzgerald followed tip-off Irish person trying to buy guns on darknet
The Garda investigation into 22-year-old Evan Fitzgerald over his alleged efforts to buy guns on the darknet started after an international law enforcement agency provided information to the force , it is understood. That intelligence, which appears to have come through Interpol , suggested an unknown person in the Republic was on the darknet trying to buy guns. Acting on the information, the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau established contact with the Irish suspect. It is understood that undercover gardaí made contact with the person, on the darknet, while posing as a criminal with guns for sale. The Irish Times understands agreement was reached that weapons would be sold, with cash paid and the guns delivered by undercover officers in an investigative process known as 'controlled delivery'. READ MORE However, after delivery of the firearms – a machine gun and pistol, with ammunition – a Garda interception was made. The guns and bullets were seized and Fitzgerald was charged with four offences following the sting operation early last year. A search of a property linked to him yielded an assortment of ammunition, as well as powders that can be used to make explosive devices. That discovery resulted in Fitzgerald being charged with nine further offences. Fitzgerald, of Portrushen, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, was facing 13 charges and was at liberty on bail when he went to the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town last Sunday week, firing several shots and taking his own life. The gun he used, a stolen shotgun legally held by another person, was unrelated to the undercover operation that resulted in his arrest early last year. The guns used by the undercover gardaí in the 2024 sting operation were taken from Garda stores. They had been decommissioned and the ammunition was non-functioning. When arrested in early 2024, Mr Fitzgerald made admissions. His first court appearance was told that there was no suspicion he wanted the guns to further any involvement in organised crime. Instead, he had acted in a 'naive' way in trying to buy guns for recreational shooting. Concerns have been raised by Labour TD Alan Kelly and Senator Michael McDowell, the former minister for justice, about the manner of Fitzgerald's arrest and the charges against him. Both have questioned why an alternative, unspecified, legal option was not used to deal with him, rather than his being charged with possession of the guns and ammunition. In reply to queries, Garda headquarters said it could not comment on a specific case. However, commenting in general terms, it said gardaí use 'a range of internationally recognised investigative techniques when tackling serious crimes such as drug dealing and procuring of firearms, either of which could then be used to cause significant harm to the public. 'One of these is controlled deliveries. In controlled deliveries any material used is made safe by the law enforcement agency before being used, [for example], firearms are deactivated.' On Wednesday, Mr Kelly and Mr McDowell raised the case in the Dáil and Seanad, asking about court reports that suggested gardaí had told the judge in the case that they were 'investigating' how Fitzgerald and others acquired the guns. 'The guns were actually given to him by An Garda Síochána ... how could they say in court that they didn't know where the guns came from?' asked Mr Kelly. In the Seanad, Mr McDowell said: 'I am also very deeply concerned that by informing the court that the gardaí were still investigating by whom the weapons in question were sold; the court was actively misled.'
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Two arrests over St Stephen's Day hit-and-run in which married couple were killed
The two were arrested over the deaths of Anthony Hogg and Georgina Hogg-Moore, who died after the hit-and-run in Blanchardstown while they were out shopping on St Stephen's Day. Gardaí arrested two people on Wednesday morning in relation to the incident. 'A man, aged 40 years was arrested in connection with this investigation and he is currently detained under Section 30 Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda station in the Dublin,' gardaí said. 'A female, aged in her 30s was arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Dublin.'
