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Shatter not invited to GRA conference to avoid 'giving him a platform for spin'

The garda association decided not to invite the minister for the second year in a row as its members feel little has changed in the last year in terms of resources.

THE GARDA REPRESENTATIVE Association (GRA) decided not to invite the Minister for Justice to their annual conference for a second year in a row, to prevent him from having a “platform for spin” on stories about resourcing in the force.

Alan Shatter sparked tension when he declined an invitation to attend the annual conference of the AGSI – the association representing sergeants and inspectors – last week but the GRA said they have not invited him to their conference at all.

Last year, the GRA made the decision not to extend an invitation to the minister because its members were in a dispute with the government over the public pay deal. A number of motions of no confidence in Shatter had also been passed by regional divisions of the GRA at the time.

“Members were to the pin of their collar in the fight against crime and traffic policing, trying to keep road deaths down and we were starved for resources,” President of the association, John Parker, said. “We were faced with constant spin of announcements such as 300 new cars without the public being properly informed that we had actually lost 450 extra cars.”

The executive council discussed the possibility of inviting the minister again this year but Parker said they questioned whether “anything positive had happened or whether there’d been increased interaction and resourcing” and decided they could not realistically put forward a motion proposing the invitation.

“We’re not inviting him because nothing is going to come out of it,” he said. We’d be giving him a platform for spin, and we’ve no right of reply – we couldn’t contradict him during his speech.”

The theme and the agenda for the GRA conference, which starts on 28 April, have yet to be announced but the AGSI conference this week will hear motions on tazers, whistleblower protection and training.

The Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment on the topic.

Related: Otherwise engaged: Alan Shatter has decided not to attend this year’s AGSI conference>

Read: Tazers and whistleblowers up for debate during AGSI conference>

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68 Comments
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    Mute Tiger Lyon
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:26 AM

    It’s time for this muppet government to get rid of this arrogant pig.

    199
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    Mute COOM
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:08 AM

    He has some neck all the same.

    187
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    Mute Bruce
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:27 AM

    I can’t ever recall such open hostility between gardai and minister.

    I sincerely hope that Joe and Joan public won’t be used / abused during these spats e.g. spiteful withholding off approval of funds etc

    162
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    Mute Mark O'Hagan
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:22 AM

    This spat is only serving as a distraction from the ongoing penalty points debacle, the taping of phone calls and the ongoing revelations about the Bailey case. The public at large should be more concerned about the Gardai doing their job properly instead of whether Alan Shatter gets to go to their conference.

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    Mute fionn mac cumhaill
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:02 AM

    The three most recent serious issues with the gardai all relate to senior management.

    The penalty points debacle is a result of senior management cancelling the tickets on pulse after the regular garda had done his job and issued them. Regular gardai have no power to cancel tickets. Its the rank of inspector and higher.

    The recording of phonecalls also is a direct result of senior management actions. Im guessing it was someone higher than a superintendent who thought it would be a good idea to record phonecalls.

    And the whistleblower debacle was a result of senior management ignoring the best intended actions of the whistle blowers as it would involve them directly catching management out doing favours for their colleagues, family and celebrity friends.

    Yet, it is the regular garda that you see on the beat and on patrol that is getting the abuse from the public. This should be directed at management but they dont come out from behind their desks.

    212
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    Mute Ciarraioch
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:26 AM

    Mark – surely what’s happening in Shatter not being invited , is that he has now totally lost any sense of trust either from the General public or from the Garda Siochana , as a Force ?
    It’s tantamount to two football teams out playing on a pitch and entirely ignoring the Referee, or his whistle !
    This man has lost the entire respect of the Force .
    I spoke to two Garda acquaintances last week , one female , one male . They cannot just stand the man and both feel that the morale of the force will not be restored while his shadow is still about. They also feel that ex Commissioner Callinan , was essentially fired or sacrificed to save Shatters neck , by An Taoiseach , ably abetted by Shatter .
    I feel that he is so heavily wounded now, that his demise is absolutely inevitable, but hopefully he won’t be fired , until after the EU and Local Elections !
    Then it may finally dawn on An Taoiseach , the damage that his Minister has done to the Coalition !

    78
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    Mute John R
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:48 AM

    Ciarraoich, with the greatest of respect the Garda Síochána don’t get to decide who is Minister for Justice or who should hold political office. That’s for the democratic process. The likes and dislikes of members of the Gardaí should be irrelevant to how they do their job. The Garda associations have also being arguing for greater distance from the politicians and the political process for years and yet they have persisted in inviting Ministers for Justice to their annual meetings for decades. The Minister for Justice is responsible for a great deal more than the Garda Síochána. The notion that the sacking of Alan Shatter will miraculously restore Garda morale is facile. The only thing that will restore Garda morale I suspect is a restoration of the pay and allowances they have lost through successive cuts. That is the real source of the Garda morale problem not Alan Shatter. The notion that any replacement for Minister Shatter can somehow magic away this reality is risible as is the notion that a one billion a year organisation can be immune from the reality of our economic meltdown..

    21
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    Mute Ciarraioch
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:57 AM

    John R – Spoken like a Spokesman for FG/Lab. would say it ! Totally out of touch with reality, in your cosy assertive life .
    This type of thinking is what makes the current awful Government so totally out of touch with reality on the ground – they just don’t really care what the ordinary Joe or Joan think – they know what’s best for us !

    56
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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Apr 15th 2014, 10:58 AM

    If you have seen Devil’s Advocate- you understand Shatter.

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Apr 15th 2014, 10:59 AM

    John R
    the Garda Síochána is upset with the justice minister because of the huge cuts to their service, while being expected to do more, and huge cuts to their wages. Add to that the ridiculous treatment of the whistleblowers and everything that goes with that.
    If that is not the Justice Minister then who is it?

    34
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 6:28 PM

    Unfortunately Dave,
    It’s not that simple. Shatters dispatch of Callinan looks like a political master stroke – just enough distance to make it look like he was unaware of the events leading to Calinans sacking.
    It now looks like Shatter is laying claim to the task of redesigning AGS and appointing an independent authority. Of course he should be gone… But before he goes, he knocks everybody else out of the game. The AG should be next, but since Baileys case won’t happen until September (?) there will be no more embarrassing revelations unless someone of significant rank decides to disclose something else about Shatter.
    Callinan may have a few more parting gifts but his credibility is compromised by the way Shatter stitched him up.

    5
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:24 PM

    Mark you old government troll !

    5
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    Mute Declan Pollard
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:45 AM

    Protecting his favourite minion at all costs, Enda could end up in a worst predicament than Shatter himself. Shatter has become a huge liability and should of been shafted, just like the Garda are doing now by not inviting him to their conference.

    162
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:23 PM

    Enda Kenny has no idea how much his loyalty to this fool will cost him at the elections, without ANY doubt Alan Shatter is the worst minister for justice in the history of the state

    14
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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:26 AM

    This story shows the extent to which Mr Shatter is a loner. He may be intelligent, but his attraction for the liberal, combined with his disconnect from middle Ireland; makes him a dangerous minister. His new legislation, and it primarily is his, covering adoption and surrogasy, is the most dangerous social engineering ever inflicted on Ireland. His compulsion to leave a mark for himself, plays into the hands of a lobby group, keen to manipulate the outcome of next year’s referendum on marriage. He being fundamentally anti-democratic, is driven into isolation from the force that implements his dictates. The opportunity to move him aside, has again been missed.

    91
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:27 AM

    “His attraction for liberal”

    What does that part mean?

    57
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:49 AM

    Paddy – are you seriously suggesting that Shatters support for same sex marriage and the right for gay couples to adopt is the reason he has not been invited? You are becoming a humorous caricature of yourself; the world has moved on, thankfully, why don’t you just move on a little bit with it.

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    Mute Conor
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:03 AM

    Paddy I think that it is you who shows a frightening disconnect from the minds and attitudes of middle Ireland.

    53
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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:31 AM

    @ Kevin Higgins
    I mean he’s attracted to the liberal agenda now rampant in Ireland. It is based on the cult of self, where we set up our laws so we can do what pleases us personally, rather than for protecting the weak.
    The expressions of this are;
    Abortion, getting rid of inconvenient children.
    Euthanasia, getting rid of anyone who will cost us.
    Redefinition of marriage, getting rid of the states need to support husbands and mothers with their children.
    Alan is now doing number two of the three listed core objectives.
    The money from rich American sources has been funding groups like marriage equality and glen, to lobby our naive minister, into establishing in law which says there is no intrinsic value in motherhood and fatherhood, before next year’s referendum.
    @ Kevin Higgins
    No Kevin, he’s not invited because he is viewed as unpopular and dangerous. But because he is unpopular and dangerous, he wishes to make a name for himself by ramming liberal laws through the Dail. He has of course the full support of Labour and the liberal media.
    @ Conor
    That can only be seen after next year’s referendum, will the Irish be the first in the world to vote, that motherhood and fatherhood are irrelevant?

    18
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:36 AM

    You could have just said your crazy paddy.

    34
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    Mute davey p
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:43 AM

    Paddy, thats too much bollix for this time if the morning

    37
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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:49 AM

    @ Kevin Higgins
    Perhaps Kevin, at least I’m open to the possibility. But I’ll choose another as my judge, not you please.

    14
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:31 AM

    Paddy – in fairness by putting such (in my opinion, extreme) views on a discussion forum you will be rightly judged by others. In democracies you are judged by your peers not a supreme being.
    You have mentioned US money supporting liberal agendas in Ireland, but fail to mention the many conservative religious organisations in Ireland that are very partial to the US$. Have you yourself ever been involved in any organisation that receives funding from the US or like many TD’s have you ever received financial support from the US for ‘educational’ trips to the US?

    30
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:57 AM

    There are an increasing number of people who agree with Paddy. I believe it was Mick Clifford who commented that Labour has not put pressure on Kenny to get rid of Shatter because they believe he’s the only one who will deliver SSM.

    9
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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Apr 15th 2014, 11:04 AM

    It is the usual divide and rule game. The Jesuits use it all the time as do people like Shatter, groomed from birth to be superior to others.

    10
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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Apr 15th 2014, 11:25 AM

    @ Paul Fahey
    Paul, as there is an implication in your comment, I’d better reply. I have never personally been paid for any involvement I’ve had with any organisation. Furthermore, any organisation I’ve been directly a member of, has not received foreign funding to the best of my knowledge. My interest is in the good of society and the dignity of individuals, rather than self interest. This has been my motivation.
    As for democratic judgement, I only wish. Shatters legislation is an anti-democratic move, to influence next year’s referendum.
    As for judgement by a supreme being, even those who believe they are the supreme being, may be surprised.

    6
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Apr 15th 2014, 12:14 PM

    Paddy – let me correct something for you, your interest is in the good of the conservative catholic population, not for society in general. If you genuinely care for the beneficence of the general public, please cease your outdated crusade and let people engage in autonomy, something you are ironically terrified of, whilst shouting for true democracy. As I said you are just a caricature.

    14
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 12:48 PM

    Paul,
    You follow Irelands LGBT on Facebook. Paddy obviously doesn’t. I don’t either.
    You’ve made a personal attack on Paddy and more worryingly you give me the impression that you feel that your definition of autonomy is the way society should be organised.
    There are many points of view posted on thejournal.ie and we are lucky to be able to post here.
    The story is about Shatter and the GRA and you are taking shots at Paddy Scully without addressing his comment.
    Way not to go.

    2
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Apr 15th 2014, 1:23 PM

    Paul – oh dear, you are consistent I will give you that. Now go back and read who introduced these issues into the thread. My take on autonomy is clear and people should be allowed utilise and benefit from their own. That may not suit you, but as I have asked you on other threads, please quote me, in this instance where I state or suggest the way society should be organised. Go on try, I have requested such things from you on a previous thread, but you failed to oblige. The irony of defending the likes of Paddy by accusing others of trying to organise society, if you understood irony you would be funny.
    A personal attack? my you are a very sensitive flower, calling someone a caricature, oh dear. There is more than a touch of the John Waters about you.

    9
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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Apr 15th 2014, 1:44 PM

    @ Paul Fahey
    Ah! Good old autonomy, as you understand it; the right to do whatever I want, whenever I want, as I want. That’s a hell of a lot of I I I’s. Is it the kind of autonomy one associates with Marxism, Mein Kampf, or Maos little red book. One aspect of Christian charities, is that they serve everyone equally. The new orthodoxy is characterized by its intolerance to everyone who disagrees with it. Fire the CEO who supports marriage, label as bigots and homophobes those who value motherhood and fatherhood. If being a caricature is the price I have to pay for speaking out for the rights of children, then bring it on. But the silence of good people has proven to be very expensive east of us over the last 100 year’s. One can only hope that Ireland will not cower to the liberals who wish to destroy marriage as a gendered child centric institution.

    2
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 1:45 PM

    Paddys view regarding Alan Shatter and the opportunity to get rid of him has been expressed elsewhere by Mick Clifford, a crime correspondent over here in Ireland. I agree with it. I’m actually shocked that Labour remain in coalition.
    Paddy has been clear about his involvement with organisations, you haven’t and I don’t do organisations.

    4
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    Mute James Patrick Smith
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    Apr 15th 2014, 2:20 PM

    @Paul Fahey

    You sir are taking that obnoxious deluded dinosaur Paddy to school in all your comments and replies well played,but allow me to add a piece of advice.Don’t try and reason someone out of position they obviously didn’t reason themselves into.

    In the end the deluded make fools of themselves sprouting nonsense that is plain for all to see, the groups of organised hatchet-men fail to see ironically their mouthpieces do the greatest damage to their very argument, give them enough rope and they hang themselves.

    10
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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Apr 15th 2014, 2:29 PM

    @ James Patrick Smith
    I hope you looked in a mirror before posting that rant.

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    Mute James Patrick Smith
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    Apr 15th 2014, 3:19 PM

    Too close to the bone for ye Paddy eh? I have a few questions for you (I’d be surprised if you answered)
    Why don’t you just practice your religion in private ?

    why do you and your kind have to organise into a little group to interfere with laws of the land?

    Why can’t you just believe what you want and not try convert others or are you only happy when everyone believes your agenda and dogma?

    You do realise morality predates religion and a belief in religion is not necessary to lead a moral life right?

    10
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 3:51 PM

    James,
    Step back and take a look at how offensive you appear because of what you wrote.

    4
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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Apr 15th 2014, 4:03 PM

    @ James Patrick Smith
    I’m not sure what you mean by, close to the bone. I’m quite happy to discuss, listen and give a view.
    I do practice my religion in private, but unlike the taoiseach, I have failed miserably at been schizophrenic, and what I believe is true in private comes out in public.
    What you mean by “my kind” is a little unclear. Do you mean humankind? Or is it some form of a collective noun for all who disagree with James Patrick. I’m sure you mean it to be derogative, but I’ll take it in a complementary way.
    You seem to misunderstand the law of the land. Laws are ment to interfere with, for instance, the freedom of the thief to steal, or the murderer to murder. The people collectively, following discussion decide to limit the freedoms of the thief and murderer.
    If the people of Ireland decide motherhood and fatherhood have no value, then they will change the law of the land. If they believe, like I do, that children should have access as much as possible to a mother and father, then society will say no. Children should not be condemned to two dads, or two moms, with all of their biological inheritance wiped out.
    This is what Alan Shatter is forcing on the Irish nation, before they can express their views in a referendum.
    You owe more to Christianity than you realize. Been called after St Patrick, our patron, and St James the Disciple, one of the three invited to mount Tabour and into the garden of Getsenamy; must annoy you.

    2
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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Apr 15th 2014, 5:36 PM

    Paul Roche- oh dear you really are desperately clueless type. I belong to one organisation, a Legal professional body and no others, none, zip, nowt! I am happily married, father of three, atheist and that is about it; sorry that this does not fit in with your prejudices, but that says more about you than me.
    Now run along, a church warden is looking for the end of his bell and I suspect it might be you.

    9
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 5:58 PM

    Oh No Paul,
    Your profile fits exactly with my ehhh… “prejudices”

    1
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    Mute Declan Carr
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:26 AM

    I bet no one played with him when he was a kid, a loner bashing his toy cars with a hammer. Nothing has changed he is still that lonely boy that no one has any time for. Time for him to go, one of Enda’s election promises was to get rid of such ministers.

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    Mute brian waldron
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:33 AM

    How can he “decline” an invitation when it says he was not invited!

    55
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    Mute Mark Boyle
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:35 AM

    He was invited to the AGSI conference but declined. He was not invited to the GRA conference.

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    Mute sarah harte
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:24 AM

    In fairness I was wondering that myself. The article doesn’t make that very clear.

    11
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    Mute Joseph O'Regan
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:35 AM

    The Government is the same corrupt shower of Muppets as the last lot we need change, real change.

    52
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    Mute Liam Treacy
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:29 AM

    It was interesting to hear a Garda spokesman saying all the investigations were damaging the image and morale of the force. What he should have said was that all the findings were damaging the image and morale of the force.

    50
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    Mute John parker
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:38 AM

    @Liam Treacy. … Just in case you’re referring to the GRA comments of last month… The GRA did not say the investigations were damaging Morale. What was said in relation to the taping of SOME phone calls especially on emergency calls was that uninformed and speculative comment in the middle of the investigations was damaging morale and that it would b best for people to await the actual findings

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    Mute David Burke
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:43 AM

    Nope I heard a GRA spokesman say the investigations were “unfair given all that we have given”. They also knew nothing about the tapings of calls. I always thought the Irish Gardai were actually pretty good. Turns out they are just more brazen at lying than any other police force in the world. Respect for them has fallen through the floor.

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    Mute John parker
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:45 AM

    @David Burke – incorrect. You are quoting AGSI spokesman and he was speaking in the context of stating they had no knowledge “of illegal taping” …
    The GRA only came out and explained that the system of recording phone calls at emergency or divisional control rooms was known and was stated to be appropriate abd similar to calls to fire and ambulance control rooms… GRA stated let the investigations take place and in the resulting reports deal with any findings of improper use of same ..

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    Mute John R
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:56 AM

    David please stop engaging in complete over the top hyperbole. The Garda Síochána are by and large a professional force who provide a very good service which is reflected in widespread public support. The issues that now arise are largely related to governance, oversight and management. These are all eminently fixable and the GS will be the better for it. In the meantime can we please stop making sweeping unsubstantiated negative generalisations about the GS based on the limited facts in the public domain. They’re not perfect. What organisation is? But they can be improved like any organisation. Most Gardaí I meet are extremely professional and dedicated but the GS as an organisation need to be more open and transparent. This is now going to happen I believe.

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    Mute Joe Travers
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:18 AM

    In all fairness, what is shatter still doing in a job. I’m sick of reading spin spin and more spin. I’d love to be in a job where incompetence is rewarded and ignorance is bliss. Are we the public mad for not taking to the streets by now to demand he go. Off our arse time.

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    Mute George Grey
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:29 AM

    No respect from the body which he oversees, no confidence from the public, little support from his colleagues; how on earth does he continue to hang on?

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    Mute Whelo1509
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:08 AM

    So only invite him if you’re getting your own way, otherwise leave a very senior and relevant figure out of your annual conference – childish, but I’d expect no less from these guys.

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:18 AM

    Are you kidding me? The justice minister that should have resigned a dozen times over by now. Remember what he said about the whistleblowers, about callinan, breaking the law over mick Wallace and all the unanswered question.

    Sick and tired of Irish people having goldfish memory

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    Mute John parker
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:55 AM

    @Whelo1509 ….. Methinks you should return to top of page and Re-Read the article…. You state “So, only invite him if you’re getting your own way ….” What was actually said is that last year Gardai were to the pin of their collar in the fight against crime and road traffic policing (the emphasis here being on trying to keep road deaths down)…. And were starved of resources… The Minister had used the Annual conferences of Garda Associations as a SoapBox/Platform for an engineered Speech which consisted of SPIN for the benefit of the media at the conferences. Making announcements such as 300 New Cars when for instance it would have been more factual to state that there was nett overall loss of over 450 cars….

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    Mute Whelo1509
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    Apr 15th 2014, 12:19 PM

    Just don’t agree John. In time Shatter will be exonerated. He has a brutal job trying to fix a policing system that’s rotten to the core. He backed Callinan and I believe that was naive because the latter has let him down badly…aswell as the rest of us. I would consider myself to be fair and objective and evidence on Garda corruption, underhand practice, loyalty to force over law forces me to be very clear in my view that this organisation cannot be trusted.

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    Mute Ciarraioch
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    Apr 15th 2014, 1:33 PM

    Whelo – Exonerated ?!?!?! – he should instead be jailed for corruption and defamation of character .

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    Mute Tom Barry
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:41 AM

    A corrupt Government ,lead by a incompetent leader who has no respect for the people who put them in office.Their attitude is ,let the old go away and die.Let the youth get lost in some other country while they and their rich buddies reap the rewards of top ups while at the same time cut old age pensioners and the sick badly needed benefits Try to force the unemployed to work for €2 an hour .Come on Ireland who needs this kind of crap in charge

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    Mute Owen Kennedy
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    Apr 15th 2014, 10:10 AM

    GRA are like them rulers you used to have in school “Shatter Resistant”….
    He’s a clown in an ever increasing circus. Thumbs down from me…

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    Mute David Burke
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    Apr 15th 2014, 8:39 AM

    This is great news, can the minister for Education stop going to the teachers conferences now. There is no reason for Minister to go the union meetings of the people they are supposed to be in charge off.

    Under the definition of regulatory capture they have Irish teachers booing their boss at their union meetings.

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    Mute Straighttalker
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    Apr 15th 2014, 10:27 AM

    I knew the creep was not invited , the news before gave the impression he turned down an invite , how is he still in government it baffles me

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    Mute Whelo1509
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    Apr 15th 2014, 7:16 AM

    “It’s my Party and I’ll cry if I want to”

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Apr 15th 2014, 11:07 AM

    The Minister is our servant, but clearly has forgotten this.

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    Mute Liam Treacy
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:03 AM

    The GRA have a serious case to answer that i haven’t heard them asked yet. Why did they not support the whistleblowers? They knew about the penalty points from the inside. The public new of the rumours but wouldn’t have access to the facts. All Gardai at all ranks are culpable and only on this issue. They are still silent on the whistleblower getting back his access to Pace.

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    Mute johngahan
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:32 AM

    The GRA should be ashamed of themselves.

    If the rumour mill is correct then there is serious corruption within the Gardai. However the GRA refuse to recognise any responsibility to identify it and root it out.

    There should never have been any need for whistleblowers if the GRA was an organisation of any level of professionalism or integrity. They should have their own code of ethics and leadership.

    Excluding the Minister speaks volumes about the arrogance of the GRA, the gardai, and their refusal to be ‘interfered with’ by external bodies or administration, regardless of a rotting core.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 10:33 AM

    Shatter should now take the opportunity to place it on record that it is not appropriate that a Minister of Justice attend any meetings with Garda groups. It is time for Politics and Policing to be separated, so these addresses should be brought to an end. He should only address AGS on official AGS business, where it is appropriate he do so.
    “Not inviting” him where it was likely he would decline is a cheap shot. The GRA should address their concerns to Garda management. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to work?

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    Mute Joe Travers
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    Apr 15th 2014, 11:57 AM

    Paul. Shatter should place nothing on any record anymore and stand down. If the minister for justice can’t attend a meet of the governing body of the people who administer this justice then what is his role at all. Let the guards make up their own rules.?? See how long that works. The GRA have questions to answer here too by the way. They are not without blame either. We need 21st century policing not some draconian outdated system who can’t keep up with organised crime and are usually outgunned by the criminals. I see teens every day abusing guards and laughing in their faces. Community policing is not working. These teens and emboldened and later in life have zero respect for authority.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Apr 15th 2014, 12:13 PM

    Joe,
    I understand that it will be the role of an independent Garda authority that should make the rules. The first step to 21st century policing is to separate politics from the job.
    Community Police work is being destroyed by the publics awareness of what senior Gardai have done. It’s a sad indictment of what the Garda management structure and it will take a great deal of reorganisation to restore public confidence in the Gardaí. This is sadly obvious.
    The daily courage of the men and women who perform duties for the community should be respected.

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    Mute galway2007
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    Apr 16th 2014, 9:22 AM

    Sack him now

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