Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
GARDA SERGEANTS AND inspectors have called for counselling to be mandatory for officers who have been to traumatic incidents.
“I’ve been with grown men who have cried when you discuss the thing with them and you don’t realise it’s inside you until somebody gets in there and gets it out,” Fergus O’Brien of the Wicklow branch of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said today.
“I think that somewhere along the line the trauma that can be transferred to members of An Garda Síochána when they go to serious incidents. Like the garda attending a fatal traffic accident where maybe somebody is deceased in the passenger seat of the car, when you look into that car at that moment in time you see the stillness of death there.”
The detective sergeant said even experienced officers who have been in the job for years suffer trauma when they are confronted by “horrific scenes”.
When I was a young police officer, I went to a horrific fatal traffic accident, it was a terrible scene where a young girl was dead and a pool of blood around her. And obviously you’re shocked, you can get flashbacks as well, these are features of it. A senior and an older guard there, he said ‘Fergus you’ve got to put that out of your mind, you’ve got to stand over it, find out who that person is and you’ll be going down to notify their family’.
Speaking to reporters in Killarney earlier today, O’Brien referenced a mass two years ago during which nine deceased members were prayed for.
“Some of them died prematurely as a result of suicide. People don’t realise these dynamics.”
Some delegates at this week’s conference were not in favour of making it compulsory for a member to attend counselling. Just last year a 24/7 counselling service for gardaí was set up. The free service provides them with support from counsellors over the phone and, if needed, face-to-face sessions. This is on offer to all members.
However, O’Brien said there is sometimes a “macho man” attitude about seeking this kind of help.
“These are police officers, they’re tough guys and they don’t show weakness well. I say take the choice out of their hands.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
TV is basically tabloid TV, Vinny is OK the rest tends to be crap.
A show about Irish people emigrating to London. How edgy and unique. I’d nearly watch it to see what the producers definition of “interesting” is…. but I won’t.
Watch TV3? Are you having a laugh?
Vinny is the only reason I switch the box on, looking forward to the documentary. He holds no punches and sides with no political party. Best entertainment on Irish television! Kenny is scared shitless of him!
Vincent knows more about Gerry than Gerry knows about himself. Should be interesting.
At least it will be a genuine documentary. If rte made it there’d be horror music played in the background and it would be shot in black and white
It will be a rehash of the one TV3 made a few years ago about SF, except this time maybe having an interview with Gerry Adams rather than MMcG.
Shinnerbots will deny the parts they don’t like and rave about the parts they do like.
Dermo,I can get you a good deal on a satellite dish so you will be able to view all the South’s tv channels including tv3.
One fiddy Dermo,good price,special price just for you.
(Sterling)
Thanks Franco, but I’m an Irish citizen, resident in this State so I unfortunately get TV3 when I pay my TV licence. Are you in a similar boat?
I’m ecstatic.
Vincent is the only show in town. I’d watch him no matter what station he worked for. Yes,even UTV Ireland, and that’s saying something.
TV3,= copy and paste,
Vincent is no fan of SF … Expect a hatchet job .
He’s no fan of fainna fail, fine Gael, labour either. Expect an in depth balanced well written documentary
Supernova …. Last time TV3 did something on SF they edited out part if a conversation with former SF Cllr Killian Forde to make it sound like he was calling SF a cult .
I can not find fault with Vinny doing a hatchet job on SF. Their comrades in the IRA were experts in their usages.
Good man Cillian, get your retaliation in first.
Unionists/blueshirts assemble! #flutemusic
Thought Shinnerbots likes Vin B? Not so when he turns his eyes on their Dear Leader.
What a complete load of sh!te
you’re a happy chappy
Isn’t TV3 owned by Denis O Brien?
At least we don’t have to pay licence fee for it Not owned by DOB
No.
No it’s owned buy this crowd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doughty_Hanson_%26_Co
UPC owns TV3.
I think Gerry will be destroyed in a debate by Vincent…
In defence of TV3, they don’t receive and tv licencing money….so at least we don’t have to pay for any of their crap
7% of the Licence Fee goes into the Broadcast Fund which is administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The Broadcast Fund is paid out to applicants to fund specific programmes. For example, TV3′s gem “Danger! Amanda at Work” received a grant from the Broadcast Fund.
Similarly, TV3′s drama “Red Rock” received a grant of €800,000 from the Broadcast Fund.
(Source: IrishTimes.com 9 July 2015; http://www.bai.ie.)
I don’t think there’s any issue with the likes of Red Rock getting money but that other rehashed muck is deplorable.
Riveting – completely engrossing: compelling; the documentary is a riveting account of the freedom fighters journey through the troubled decades.
Hahaha, sneak preview of the wording for the promo for Mr Adams aka ‘I was not in the PIRA’
I can only imagine how cringeworthy their version of Gogglebox will be, watch an Irish TV station yet again make a balls of what is an excellent programme.
have your say