Latest news with #AssociationofGardaSergeantsandInspectors
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Crowe report highlights 'stretched and stressed workforce'
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has said the findings of the Crowe Report highlight a "stretched and stressed workforce" and a roads policing review "must be a catalyst for real change". The AGSI's comments follow the publication of the report into roads policing which has found that a number of gardaí are "unproductive" and appear to be demotivated and unconcerned with doing an effective, professional job. The Crowe Report, an independent review of the Roads Policing Unit to assess its effectiveness and integrity, was published this morning. In a statement, the AGSI said it is calling on garda management to deliver on the report's recommendations to strengthen supervision, reform performance policy, and properly resource the force. The association described the report as "a hard-hitting wake-up call for An Garda Síochána", and said it signals a strategic failure at senior management level. AGSI says the report reaffirms what it has been raising for years - that chronic manpower shortages, inadequate training, flawed strategic decisions, and an overemphasis on governance structures have left frontline gardaí undervalued and unsupported. AGSI President Declan Higgins said: "The Crowe report shows that the Garda Roads Policing Units have a solid, effective core which is deserving of support and praise. "However, it also highlights that there is a small minority that are demotivated and clearly demoralised. "This demoralisation within An Garda Síochána has been ignored by garda management and overseeing agencies for far too long. The AGSI also said the report's findings on morale, resourcing, and performance supervision are not isolated to Roads Policing, "but are indicative of larger, organisation-wide issues". The President of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said the Crowe Report states that it "found no evidence of systemic organised culture or work avoidance or deliberately poor performance in roads policing, so that in itself is counter to what we're hearing on the news today". Speaking on RTÉ's News at One Mark O'Meara said today's published report "is different to the initial report" findings that were circulating two weeks ago. Mr O'Meara said the report had been "drip fed" by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. "That's what caused us great concern," he said. He said "commentary that came from the garda commissioner at the time ... caused such damage, and our members find that unforgivable," he said. Mr O'Meara said "six divisions were visited and engaged productively with the core report". "There was 100 to 120 members who were spoken to - the vast majority of those, as the report does quite clearly outline that they were productive, professional and focused on road safety - and that is hugely important. "But it also quite clearly points out to lack of training, lack of resourcing, [an] ageing fleet. These are all issues that we have raised repeatedly with the garda commissioner, this is what caused the vote of no confidence [in the Garda Commissioner] in the first place. "The report speaks of [a] small number of members who, as we have always highlighted are suffering from very, very low morale because of all of the issues that we have raised over the years. "As I said, to bureaucracy, poor morale, terms and conditions of employment, and these are all clearly highlighted in the report as well, and these would go on to affect the morale of those people concerned and those people who will exodus An Garda Síochána when the 30 years are up and they will have no incentive to stay behind. "And that causes morale issues for members in the Road Policing Unit. But this is the first time the garda commissioner has apportioned unjust blame on all ranks below him of incompetence, inability and disinterest." Call for extra resources and updated equipment for roads policing The Irish Road Victims Association has called for extra resources and updated equipment for roads policing. Leo Leighio, spokesperson for the victims group said families who have lost loved ones were "very disappointed that some gardaí were not pulling their weight". Speaking to RTÉ's News At One, Mr Leighio said: "They need to realise that every single life lost on the roads is major. "It's what we have always been saying, roads policing numbers needs to be increased." Mr Leighio said after reading today's Crowe report he believed the majority of gardaí were committed to saving lives on Ireland's roads. However he said a small number "don't think peoples lives are worth doing their jobs for". "It's what we have always been saying, roads policing numbers needs to be increased." He said he is concerned about the effect of today's report on road users. He said road users already think they can get away with anything they want and that "confidence in the garda roads policing unit has to be re-earned". Mr Leighio said families were depending on the new garda commissioner and the superintendents to bring about change. "I have full confidence that the new commissioner will do his job," he said. It has been 20 years since Leo Leighio's 16-year-old daughter Marsia was killed in a hit and run incident. Reflecting on this today he said: "It's a life long sentence, we go though it every day. when we hear things like this it sets us back and upsets us." Crowe report 'very serious' - minister Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has said the Crowe Report is "very serious". Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said: "Minister [for Justice] Jim O'Callaghan has engaged with the garda commissioner on the report. "It's important to emphasise that the report says that this is a minority [of unproductive members], but it's a minority that has to be dealt with. "I think in relation to the disciplinary issues, there are new regulations, Minister Jim O'Callaghan introduced in April of this year under the Policing Security Community Safety Act that will strengthen the whole area of discipline. "But again, it's important to emphasise that the vast majority of gardaí in Roads Policing are committed to their job, the minority have to be dealt with, they have to be engaged [with]. The importance of this work cannot be overstated. "And the difference that work makes to communities, makes to families is absolutely extraordinary. "The new garda commissioner is very aware of the minister's concerns of the report. Officials from the Department of Justice are engaging with garda management around the report to ensure that the findings are implemented. And to ensure that there is a change arising out of it. "But I want to absolutely reassure people, roads policing is taken very seriously and the vast majority of members of An Garda Síochána who are involved in roads policing are professional and exceptionally committed to their jobs," Mr O'Calleary added.
RTÉ News
17-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Former AGSI head 'felt helpless' after online harassment, court hears
Former General Secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors Antoinette Cunningham has said that "blatantly false and vile" material posted about her online has had a profoundly negative impact on her and her family. In a victim impact statement at Mullingar District Court today, Ms Cunningham said the messages, which were posted publicly and sent privately on the social media platform Twitter, now known as X, left her feeling helpless and powerless. 38-year-old Andrew McGovern, of School Lane, Rathowen, Co Westmeath previously pleaded guilty to harassing Ms Cunningham under Section 4 (1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Ms Cunningham, was general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) when the offences happened over a two-week period in March 2023. Detective Sergeant Alan Farrell from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation told Mullingar District Court today that the first set of direct messages were sent privately and were ignored by Ms Cunningham. He said Ms Cunningham later learned of posts on Mr McGovern's Twitter account about her that were openly accessible containing unfounded claims and allegations being "all swept under the carpet" and his life being ruined. Detective Farrell said there was no truth in the content. At sentencing today, Judge Bernadette Owens heard that while the probation report had been received, Mr McGovern's solicitor John Quinn requested more time to discuss to it with his client. Judge Owens adjourned the case until 4 September for sentencing. Victim Impact Statement In a hard hitting victim impact statement, Antoinette Cunningham said the "lies, falsehoods and character destruction" posted online had a profoundly negative effect on her and her family. "The emotional impact of this crime on me was difficult, I still don't understand why a stranger decided to target me in this way" she said. "I felt a total violation of my privacy, my character, my integrity, and my sense of personal well-being and peace of mind was fractured as a result of what happened." Ms Cunningham outlined that she became aware of the allegations posted on a social media platform in March 2023. She said she tried to have the material removed but was advised by the social media platform that the material did not, in their view, 'violate their rules'." Ms Cunningham said "this added enormously to the upset and vulnerability" she felt. "I felt helpless to defend myself or to receive the expected support from the social media platform, there was a personal vilification of me going on, and I was powerless, at that point, to do anything about it." Ms Cunningham told the court that at the time of the incident, she held the position of general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, a job which carries a significant public profile and role. She spoke of how difficult it was, in such a busy and demanding job, "to present a façade of normality at work while at the same time trying to deal with this matter". Ms Cunningham said until today, she has remained a relatively voiceless victim of this crime, to fully respect the investigation and judicial process and she hopes by speaking out, she can encourage others to come forward. "Online harassment can happen to anyone, in any walk of life and this case, sadly, is a demonstration of the very toxic side of social media, that came into my everyday life and turned, what was a normal evening at home, into a process that is only ending now" The former AGSI General Secretary criticised the social media platform X saying she finds it "deeply upsetting that something that is a criminal offence in this country is not accepted as a breach of social media rules here". "I have chosen now, to speak to the court about this matter, to convey my sense of frustration at having to publicly expose myself again as I feel I have no other real choice," Ms Cunningham added. "To stay silent, I would be doing a disservice to myself but especially to my family and allowing behaviour like this to go unchallenged." "I genuinely feel it is my civic duty to speak up and voice how this has affected me, so that others may feel empowered to address similar situations and take action for their own safety and wellbeing" she said. Ms Cunningham also paid tribute to the gardaí involved in the investigation.
Sunday World
15-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man to be sentenced for publishing threatening messages about Garda rep leader
Andrew McGovern, 38, pleaded guilty in November to a charge under section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. A Midlands man is to be sentenced in July for publishing 'grossly' offensive or threatening messages about a former prominent Garda representative group leader. Antoinette Cunningham, was general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) when the offences happened over a two-week period in 2023. Following an investigation, Andrew McGovern, 38, of School Lane, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, was summonsed to face criminal proceedings at Mullingar District Court. He pleaded guilty in November to a charge under section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Court documents state the offence occurred in the Mullingar area, March 16–30, 2023, and that he 'did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Antoinette Cunningham with intent to cause harm". The charge carries a possible six-month sentence at the District Court level. Andrew McGovern. In November, the court directed the preparation of a victim impact statement to be furnished on March 6. However, on that date, McGovern failed to show up in court, resulting in a bench warrant to have him arrested. He was found and granted bail again on March 13 with an order to appear again today. The accused briefly sat close to retired Garda Inspector, Ms Cunningham, before moving to the opposite side of the courtroom. When his case was called, court Garda Sergeant Orla Keenan summarised the proceedings so far and added that a victim impact statement had been handed into court in March. The sergeant added that the injured party was present for the proceedings, but Ms Cunningham was not required to testify. Andrew McGovern. News in 90 Seconds - May 15th Judge Owens said she had not yet read the impact statement and noted an application for an adjournment for the Probation Service to draft a pre-sentence report. Judge Owens recalled that when McGovern pleaded guilty on November 14, the report was directed at that stage, but the accused did not turn up on the subsequent date when the bench warrant was issued. His failure to attend the hearing in March also led to the Probation Service not being notified that the report was needed today. McGovern, dressed in black trousers, a pink shirt and a maroon blazer, stood forward when the case was called but did not address the court. Asked if she wished to hear full facts and the victim impact statement today, Judge Owens said she appreciated the attendance of the injured party. However, she asserted that it would have 'more impact' if she heard from her and the evidence on the next date, when the probation report will also be ready. Sentencing was set for July 17; Judge Owens remanded McGovern on continuing bail. Legal aid was granted earlier. Last year, Ms Cunningham, from Limerick, announced she was to retire after 33 years with An Garda Síochána and the AGSI. She made Irish policing history in 2018 when she was made the first full-time female official in a garda representative organisation. She was also the first woman to serve at every executive level of the association.
RTÉ News
15-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Man in court for offensive communication about then AGSI head
A 38-year-old man has appeared before Mullingar District Court charged with distributing or publishing a grossly offensive communication about the then general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, Antoinette Cunningham. Andrew McGovern, from School Lane in Rathowen, Co Westmeath, was charged with distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Ms Cunningham with the intent to cause her harm between the 16 and 30 March 2023, contrary to Section 4 (1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. He appeared in court before Judge Bernadette Owens, who heard that a probation report directed on the 14 November last was not yet available in relation to Mr McGovern. The judge heard the injured party had attended court on every occasion and that she was keen that the facts of the case be heard and that her Victim Impact Statement be read to the court. Judge Owens said she appreciated this and she was not trying to be awkward, but she would prefer everything to be heard together. The case has been put back until 17 July when the full details will be heard.
