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The Journal
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Gardaí are 'unfairly' targeting Drew Harris for blame over recent changes, says oversight chief
THE HEAD OF a garda oversight body said she believes that Drew Harris has been 'unfairly targeted' for blame by gardaí for implementing a Government change programme. Recently Dr Elaine Byrne sat down with The Journal to discuss policing in Ireland and explain the role her new agency, the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA), plays. Byrne believes frustrations, change fatigue and 'stones in their shoes' problems are causing trouble in garda ranks. It has been a bruising few years for Harris and the garda management team, underlined by the number of flashpoints between them and representative bodies. These issues included a dispute around shift rosters and also an ongoing perception of overbearing discipline linked to administrative tasks. Gardaí who responded to a survey by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) voted 98.7% in favour of a vote of no confidence in Commissioner Drew Harris . The GRA in recent weeks refused to invite Harris to its annual delegate conference which prompted new Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to also avoid attending. Again industrial relations between Garda Headquarters and rank and file gardaí are at a low ebb. Byrne believes the disquiet about Harris is from a so-called 'change fatigue' among serving members of the force. 'One thing that the guards don't get enough credit for is the extraordinary amount of change that has happened in a very short period of time. It is the most momentous period of change in the history of the guards,' she said. Byrne explained this includes a major redrawing of garda divisions, a new operating model and the introduction of new legislation that governs the organisation. She also said that there are now new focuses, including upskilling in technology and a greater emphasis on civilianisation, all adding to the daily challenges for gardaí. When asked to clarify if she thought the change model was directly affecting the garda relationship with Drew Harris she again repeated that the reform programme was difficult. 'I think there's a lot of change happening at the same time. We have every year, when we go out and listen, we produce this report called What We Heard, and one of the things that we've heard is change fatigue,' she said. Byrne said it is not Drew Harris who is responsible for the new operating model and reform programme but rather it was handed to him by Government. 'It is a government initiative that he has been tasked with implementing, I think that he individually is unfairly the target of all of the ills within the guards,' she said. Commissioner Drew Harris and Dr Elaine Byrne at a Policing Authority meeting. 'Not standing on the sidelines' When we met Byrne, it had been a tough few days for An Garda Síochána – the death and funeral of Garda Kevin Flatley was weighing heavy on her. Byrne herself was dealing with the emotional toll – fighting back tears as she described signing the book of condolence in a local garda station with her daughters. The practising barrister, who was also a newspaper opinion writer and advocate for governance and accountability, joined the then Policing Authority in 2021 and would ultimately assume chair of the body in 2024 from former head of RTÉ Bob Collins. 'I felt it was very easy to be standing on the sidelines and telling people who are on the pitch what to do. So when the opportunity came to be be more involved in the future of policing in Ireland I was very excited about that,' she said. The Policing Authority is no more and it is now the PCSA which also carries the functions of the subsumed Garda Inspectorate into its ranks. Advertisement The body meets senior garda management once a month to discuss issues. One issue constantly cropping up is the problem of overbearing bureaucracy and the relationship between gardaí, their representative bodies and Drew Harris. She has also identified from talking to guards that there are massive issues around resourcing – not enough officers, not enough cars available to respond to calls, for example. She also said there is a lack of interagency work especially around mental health calls and frustrations from gardaí being sent out on non-crime related calls. She said that concerns over a complete redesign of the policing model may be 'mismatched'. She said she has faith in the model and that when she and her colleagues dig into issues they find that they are problems that are not associated with the reform but rather are issues because of geography and resourcing. 'When I meet gardaí, they are proud to be guards – they love being a guard. It's a badge of honor being a guard. 'And then there are just what I would call these small stones in your shoe. And if every day, the stone is in your shoe, then it's just becoming more and more frustrating,' she explained. Byrne said she is constantly meeting gardaí, including recently as she was at mass, who are raising their concerns with her. Dr Elaine Byrne of the PCSA. Niall O'Connor / The Journal Niall O'Connor / The Journal / The Journal Suspensions When not sitting on the PCSA committee, Byrne often finds herself in the Workplace Relations Commission where she acts as a barrister defending and advocating for people in employment disputes. In recent years, concerns have been raised about the problem of garda suspensions. An embarrassing case in which a garda was suspended and then cleared over giving a bicycle to an elderly man led to significant criticism of garda management . There has also been a number of cases before the High Court and the Workplace Relations Commission in which internal discipline mechanisms were found to be improper. The high point of suspensions was in 2021/2022 when there were 44 and last year it had fallen to 18. To date in 2025 there have been six. She said there has to be a 'robust way of investigating' allegations of wrongdoing but said since the highpoint of suspensions in 2022 'things have got a little more sophisticated'. Byrne said that everyone is entitled to fairness. 'Just because you are accused doesn't mean you did anything wrong,' she added. 'It is important that there is a disciplinary system that's efficient, effective and fair. 'There have been occasions where the disciplinary system has been analysed in High Court judgments and the processes of the guards have not always been ones that have passed mustard. 'Really it's not fair to those members, and it's not fair that those under investigation are left hanging for an amount of time that's disproportionate,' she added. At present the PCSA is asking the public to contact it to tell its members what they should prioritise when being watchdog to their police force. Byrne and her colleagues have been consulted by the Department of Justice as the campaign begins to find the new Garda Commissioner. The power to select the new 'number one' will be for the Government. Drew Harris's term will come to an end in September. 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
The Journal
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
'Short-sighted': Dublin representatives slam plan to remove only public toilets in city centre
A DECISION TO remove Dublin city centre's only public toilet facility has been labelled 'shortsighted' as the city council cites a 'significant' reduction in usage. The facility – a cabin-like structure located beside the entrance to St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre at the top of Grafton Street – was originally constructed in 2020 as a temporary measure at the height of the covid pandemic. It was intended to plug the sanitary gap left by retail and hospitality spaces which were forced to close under strict lockdown measures. A similar facility was established in Wolfe Tone Square at the same time, but was closed in 2022 due to anti-social behaviour complaints. According to a Dublin City Council (DCC) report to be presented to councillors on Monday, the St. Stephen's Green facility accommodated around 20,000 people per week in 2021, but that figure has now dropped to roughly 1,500. In addition to the cost of maintaining the toilets, reported to be around €400,000 per year, the operator of the unit which provided all security functions has since ceased trading, leading the DCC to the decision to remove the installation. The report claims the council's waste management service had sought alternative toilet installations in the city, but was warned by a potential service provider that installing automated toilets in the city centre was not advisable due to 'the significant risk associated with anti-social activity'. However, this claim does not wash with Green Party councillor for Dublin South East Inner City, Claire Byrne, who says the decision is 'shortsighted'. 'I don't buy the anti social behavior argument,' she said. Advertisement Claire Byrne, councillor for Dublin South East Inner City 'Dublin just seems to fail every single time. We're stuck in these constant pilot temporary solutions, and nothing ever really gets properly done. This is just another example of that.' She added: 'I think it's shortsighted, and it's just not meeting the basic needs of the city.' Byrne also attacked the DCC's publically stated justification for removing the toilets. 'I know they're citing the costs, but that's not news. We've known the costs for a long time. 'We do need to ask why it's costing €400,000 per year to run the facility. Surely the operator pulling out presents an opportunity to secure a more cost-effective provider rather than just closing it down.' Byrne criticised how the council is pointing to lower demand from members of the public as a sound reason to shut down the public facility. 'They're citing a drop in usage numbers down to 1,500 people a week using them, but that's still 1,500 people who clearly have to access the toilet.' Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon added his voice to the condemnation, saying the council should be adding more toilets, not taking them away. 'We've seen this same story play out again and again – an unwillingness to plan ahead, an allergy to practical public investment, and a government that doesn't understand how cities actually work. He added: 'This isn't just about one toilet at the top of Grafton Street — it's about the wider issue of how we design public spaces. People deserve free, clean, accessible toilets in parks, at transport hubs, and in city centres. That's not too much to ask.' The issue will be discussed further on Monday at a meeting of the Dublin South East Area Committee. 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
The Journal
29-04-2025
- The Journal
Richard Satchwell told gardaí he initially kept his wife's body in freezer, murder trial hears
RICHARD SATCHWELL DESCRIBED to gardaí how he initially kept the body of his 'glamorous' wife of 25 years in a freezer before burying her beneath the stairs of their home after he said she tried to stab him in the head with a chisel, a prosecution barrister has told his murder trial. It was during the opening of the Central Criminal Court trial of Mr Satchwell today that counsel for the State, Gerardine Small SC, said the 12 jurors will hear the accused told officers that during the alleged attack, all he could do was 'protect' himself by holding his wife's weight off him with a belt that was at her neck before she 'fell limp' and died in his arms. Mr Satchwell (58), with an address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell – nee Dingivan – at that address between March 19 and March 20, 2017, both dates inclusive. Tina Satchwell Garda Press / Garda Press / / Opening the prosecution's case today, Ms Small said Richard and Tina Satchwell were married for approximately 25 years at the time of her death. He said the couple had married in the UK on Tina's 20th birthday and moved to Ireland, where they bought a house in Fermoy. She said they sold the house in Fermoy after a number of years and moved to Grattan Street in Youghal in 2016, which the prosecution said was 'an address of significance in the case'. The lawyer said Tina Satchwell was a very glamorous lady, who had a great love of fashion and clothes and adored her two dogs, particularly her Chihuahua 'Ruby'. She said the deceased had considered her two dogs her children. The prosecution barrister went on to tell the court that Tina was a very petite lady, only around five foot five or four in height and weighed approximately eight stone. Ms Small told the jury they would hear that Mr Satchwell called to Fermoy Garda Station on March 24, 2017 to tell them that his wife had left the marital home four days earlier on March 20. The barrister said the jury would hear that Mr Satchwell had told officers he had no concern in relation to Tina's welfare or that she would self-harm and felt she had left due to the deterioration in their relationship. He reported that Tina had taken approximately €26,000 from their savings from a box in the attic. Counsel said Mr Satchwell also reported to gardaí that she had a short fuse and was liable to 'outbursts directed at him'. The court will hear evidence, the lawyer said, that Mr Satchwell had sought media attention in relation to getting assistance or information and had made appeals as to his wife's whereabouts. 'He gave televised interviews and radio interviews and they will feature during the currency of this trial,' she added. Advertisement Counsel said gardaí secured a search warrant for the couple's house on Grattan Street on June 7, 2017 but that it wasn't an 'invasive search'. She said the garda investigation was 'one of a missing person and very many avenues were pursued. She said the jury would hear that ports and airports were canvassed and searches took place on coastlines and in forests. The barrister said significant inconsistencies emerged in relation to the garda investigation and independent evidence Mr Satchwell had told gardaí. Ms Small further stated that the jury would hear that the accused advertised a chest freezer to sell on 'Done Deal' on March 31, 2017 and that he had previously offered it to his wife's cousins. The court heard further evidence will be that after 'these inconsistencies', a garda operation took place on October 10 2023, where the accused was arrested and an invasive search of Grattan Street was conducted simultaneously. Counsel said Mr Satchwell was released from garda custody on October 11 at the same time that the search was continuing at Grattan Street. 'This was a systemic, extensive and evasive search and carried out by a multidisciplinary team including forensic archaeologists,' she said. Mr Small said the evidence will be that on the evening of October 11 'decomposed human remains' were found wrapped in black sheeting in a three foot grave, which had been dug underneath the stairs in the sitting room at Grattan Street. The barrister said the grave was cemented over and the remains were identified as Tina Satchwell. The pathologist was 'unsurprisingly' not in a position to give a cause of death, she said. There will be evidence, Ms Small said, that the accused was arrested on October 12, 2023 and interviewed at Cobh Garda Station where his 'narrative now changed'. Ms Small said Mr Satchwell told gardaí that he was working in the shed on March 20 2017 and when he came back into the house Tina was at the bottom of the stairs, in her dressing gown with a chisel in her hand scraping plasterboard that he had put up. She added: 'He said she flys at him with this chisel and he loses footing and falls back onto the ground. He told gardai she was on top of him and trying to stab him in the head with the chisel and all he could do to protect himself was to take a belt or hold onto a belt which was at her neck and described to gardai how he was holding the weight of the deceased off himself with the belt'. The lawyer continued: 'He said having protected himself as much as he could by holding her weight, that in a matter of seconds she falls limp and has her in his arms and she was dead'. The court will also hear evidence, the lawyer said, that Mr Satchwell told gardaí that he transferred his wife's body to a freezer in the shed two days later and a few days afterwards brought her back from the freezer and dug a grave. The accused said he then wrapped her body in black plastic sheeting and put her in the grave and cemented over it, said counsel. The trial continues this afternoon before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women. It is expected to last six weeks.
Business Post
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Post
Red C Poll: Majority of voters want Dublin Airport taken out of Fingal County Council's remit
Red C Poll Red C Poll: Majority of voters want Dublin Airport taken out of Fingal County Council's remit Calls for Dublin Airport to be given strategic status has highest support from Fianna Fáil voters at 68 per cent Vish Gain 20:00 Only 19 per cent of respondents said they oppose the calls, while 30 per cent said they were neutral or didn't know. Photo: Sam Boal/
The Journal
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Eoin Ó Broin says some constituents 'very upset' over colleague David Cullinane's trans comments
SINN FÉIN TD Eoin Ó Broin has said his colleague, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane, did the right thing by apologising for a tweet endorsing the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of a woman. Speaking to reporters today at Leinster House, Ó Broin said he has been contacted by constituents who were 'very upset' by Cullinane's comments. Asked by The Journal if the party needs to clarify its policies in relation to trans rights and healthcare for trans people after the comments by Cullinane and Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Ó Broin said no, 'the party's policies are the party's policies'. He continued: 'And David Cullinane did the right thing in removing the tweet and apologising. I've been contacted by quite a few constituents who are trans or family members of trans people who are very upset by it. 'Obviously, the party is doing a piece of work around further developing our policy on trans rights and trans healthcare, and the party will publish that in due course. But no, I think David, in the end, responded appropriately and I'm satisfied that the matter is now closed.' Last week, Cullinane apologised after he described the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the UK Equality Act do not include transgender women as a 'common sense' judgment. Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane Fellow Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn made similar comments about the ruling, telling Highland Radio that it is an 'important ruling' that 'does bring clarity'. Advertisement 'We're going to have to deal with the legislation in Ireland because unfortunately, it isn't clear,' Mac Lochlainn said. In the same interview, Mac Lochlainn said: 'In my view, and this is a personal opinion, to me, a woman is an adult female and a man is an adult male. However, I am extremely compassionate to somebody who feels they are in the wrong body, wants to transition and [I] want to give them every right in terms of gender realignment, but we need to do it in a way that brings everybody with us and doesn't threaten particularly women. 'You know, we look at the debate in Scotland, very divisive. 'This should not have been an issue that threatened women in general and it's been handled terribly. So that's my own view'. Padraig Mac Lochlainn The Journal The Journal In his apology, Cullinane wrote: 'I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the Trans community following a tweet I sent last night. That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all.' He added: 'I'm sure those in the Trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterday's judgement, and I apologise that my words added to that.' Responding to his comments, the organisers of the Trans and Intersex Pride march in Dublin said Sinn Féin will be banned from the event this summer unless it clarifies its position. 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
