Volume #1, Issue 22
Welcome to the NEWSLETTER
SHOWCASED POLICE STATIONS
FROM THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
LINK: Click on Garda Name next to Logo
Lisdoonvarna Garda Station
Avoca Gadra Station
Dublin Garda Headquarters
CALL BOX
> Country Stats
– Country
- Population: 5.03 Million
- Size: 27,133 Square Miles
– National Law Enforcement
- Agency / Formed: Garda Síochána ( Guardians of Peace ) / 1925
- Type / Category / Size: Police Department / National / Large
- Headquarters Address: Phoenix Park, St. James, Dublin
- Website: garda.ie
- Employees: 14,000 Sworn / 460 Sworn Reserve
- Annual Budget: 2.14 Billion EURO
- Picture Taken By – Lisdoonvarna – Mary Livingston
- Picture Taken By – Avoca – Jack Davis
- Picture Taken By – Dublin – Brian Davis
- Interesting Facts – Crime Stats for 2022 > From 2021 (1) Fraud fell 32%, (2) Theft rose 41%, (3) Homicides up by 30%, and (4) Robbery, Extortion & Hijacking were up 19%
- Interesting Fact – The only other Law Enforcement Agency in the Republic is the Harbour Police. This Agency does not have arrest powers
> Judicial
The Irish Courts system originated in 1922 when the Republic of Ireland was formed and established as an Independent State by its new Constitution. The Constitution establishing five divisions: (1) Supreme Court, (2) Court of Appeal, (3) High Court, (4) District Court, and Circuit Court. In 1972 the Republic of Ireland joined the European Common Market ( EU ) and since then disagreements between EU laws and Irish laws are settled by the EU’s Highest Court, The Court of Justice.
- Supreme Court: The Court is the final court of appeals and takes at its discretion appealed cases from the Court of Appeal cases, and High Court cases under special circumstances.
- Court of Appeal: Criminal and Civil appeal cases from the High Court
- High Court: It has first oversight in major cases such as homicides, sex crimes, and such
- District Court: Civil actions not exceeding 15,000 Euros, domestic, family, and liquor licensing cases
- Circuit Court: The court has limited ( local ) jurisdiction over four areas: civil, criminal, family law and jury service
> Legislative
The Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023 makes it an offence to engage a child in any type of criminal activity and therefore allows intervention by the authorities before the pattern of offending by a child develops to a point where it becomes serious.
> Law Enforcement
Garda Síochána is the national Law Enforcement Agency in the Republic of Ireland. The Police Force is locally referred as the ‘Garda.’ It is responsible for all policing activity. The Garda has been the only police force since the nationalization and merger with the Dublin Metropolitan Police Department in 1925.
> Professionalism
The Future of Policing in the Republic of Ireland – 2018
Copied from the [ Forward of “The Future of Policing in the Republic of Ireland” ]
[[[[[ > The work of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland has been intense and expansive. We reviewed hundreds of documents concerning all aspects of Garda operations and administration. We benchmarked policing in Ireland against practices in other jurisdictions. We conducted surveys and engaged with thousands of individuals.
We met with senior Government leaders, politicians representing all parties, officials from numerous government bodies, academics in Ireland and abroad, officials from other jurisdictions, Gardaí of all ranks and non-sworn Garda personnel. All of these encounters were of great value, but none more enlightening than our meetings with members of the public who shared their observations, concerns, and vision for a reformed and reinvigorated police service. It is clear that public confidence has been shaken in the wake of tribunals and news stories, yet the majority of people in Ireland continue to support their police and are eager to work in partnership with them to improve safety and enhance the quality of life in their communities. This was most heartening to hear, as the community’s trust, respect, engagement and support are, without question, essential to modern, effective, and professional policing. This report reflects the constructive input and feedback from the Commission’s robust consultation process. The Commission extends sincere thanks to all for your contributions. This is your report – a clear vision and roadmap for strengthening An Garda Síochána and the broader national framework for policing, security, and community safety.
This report not only focuses on the current arrangements for policing, but also anticipates future challenges, given changes in society, criminality and technology. The central finding of our review is that the systems currently in place – the police service itself and the wider national framework for policing, security and community safety – must be strengthened significantly to meet existing challenges, and also to address future demands. The shortcomings are not merely, or even mainly, a question of resources. They are critical systemic problems related to structures, accountability mechanisms, management processes and culture. Policing outcomes in Ireland will not improve simply by adding more police or appointing new police leaders. There is an urgent need for comprehensive, fundamental change. This should be a first-order national priority.
Previous reports containing sensible and often excellent recommendations have gathered dust on shelves. Several people have asked why we think this report will fare any better.
Our answer has been consistent – because too much is at stake. Reform is needed urgently. The Irish people will not get the service they need and deserve unless the policing system is comprehensively transformed, nor will Gardaí have the rewarding and respected careers they sign up for. Moreover, policing problems will continue to escalate to the highest reaches of government with depressing frequency.
When established sixteen months ago, this Commission pledged it would return to Government with a clear vision for Irish policing and recommendations for sweeping reforms in the delivery of services to meet the unique complexities and demands of Ireland’s communities. Our process has been transparent, our engagement authentic, and our review rigorous. While other bodies have been charged with examining past concerns, this Commission was tasked to design a fresh start. We did not approach our work through a prism of scandal or accusation, but instead in an objective, strategic manner. We had no agenda but to get this right. It was indeed a privilege to work with such an extraordinary team and I sincerely thank my colleagues. Our work is now done, and it is in the hands of Government, the Oireachtas and An Garda Síochána to make it a reality.
Ireland is a modern, dynamic country and its police service should reflect that reality. If all of these recommendations are implemented, we believe that Irish policing will not only regain the ground it has lost compared to other policing jurisdictions, but will be at the forefront in the evolution of policing internationally.
Kathleen O’Toole, Chair
Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland September 2018 < ]]]]]