Did he really say that?
Riling against Michael McDowell’s plans to establish a Garda Reserve Corp (or “Hobby Bobbies”, as he so colourfully called them), a spokesman for one of the Garda unions demanded to know how the already hard pressed boys & girls in blue could be expected to look after these new recruits. “Who is going to hold their hands?”, he fretted with more than a little concern. “Who is going to pick up the pieces?”, he wanted to know. But he kind of gave the game away when in his fit of pique, he inquired, “Who is going to go into court and cover up for them?”
I’d dare say there are probably sufficient Gardai well enough versed in making false testimony to be able to cobble together a specialist training unit so that we get these new lads and lassies up to speed with such subtleties!
Update :
Maybe he was going down with a touch of the blue flu. Bless his serge socks.
Paige
posted by Paige A Harrison at 9:36 a.m.
5 Comments:
Oh you cruel and acute observer. Does nothing slip past you?
In the UK I got used to police numbers being increased by the expansion of community police officers. They have less power than the ordinary police but they are a visible presence, a reassurance to the public, a good use of public money...
When I hear the Garda stance against a similar reserve force, I hear special pleading. I hear ignorence and a closed mind given to self-seeking.
Surely we can look at the UK experience and examine it critically to see whether such a move might help in Ireland. The UK has been a good test-bed. I can't say that the case is proven but we, the taxpayers, need informed debate, and rational decision-making. Not transparent rubbish dressed up in the hope of pulling wool over our eyes. The Garda representative deserves a cliche or seven.
Your's is a brilliantly sharp succinct piece. Thanks again.
Paige, nice post, although I do think you are being harsh on the Gardai. There a lot of very good Gardai out there who work hard at what is a dangerous and thankless job. I know there are a few black sheep amongst them, as in every profession but their job is not an easy one.
With regard to the proposed hobby bobbies, I think we need more informed debate, as Paul says.
PS It is unbelievable what the Garda Representative said!
I'm sorry there is me oscillating between nice Paige and nasty Paige! You know I don't meant to offend those lovely Gardai - afterall they gave me my all time best blog post.
http://blankpaiges.blogspot.com/2005/11/operation-free-for-all.html
Paul is correct - as every. Although we hate to admit it, we can usually learn a lot from our colonial cousins. It seems that civilian police is a good way to relieve the burden on an overstretched force.
The Boys + Girls in blue do an awesome job and don't get the credit that they deserve.
I have to say I hate all this 'thankless' crap. Being a Garda or a nurse or a doctor isn't thankless - people thank you every day because you make a difference in people's lives every day. However when you're in th Gardai you also have a huge amount of power and of responsibility so if you abuse it people shout about it because that's how we control your power. That doesn't make being a Garda a thankless job.
Anyway on the main point...pffffttttttt McDowell probably jumped up and down with glee when he heard this and it's another reason to keep pushing for a Garda Ombudsman. The idiocy of it...
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