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GARDAÍ HAVE INSISTED there was “no security incident” involving the Commissioner’s vehicle at the force’s Phoenix Park HQ on 25 March and that a malfunctioning security bollard was to blame for damage to the vehicle.
It comes in the wake of calls for Drew Harris to clarify what happened in the incident, and why he was travelling in a PSNI vehicle rather than a Garda one.
News reports about the incident first emerged at the weekend. The vehicle the Commissioner was travelling in was damaged after a security barrier rose from the ground as his armed escort arrived at Garda HQ, having travelled from the North.
Although there were no major injuries, the episode brought controversy upon the Commissioner, who faced questions about his time with the PSNI before his appointment.
Opposition TDs and security analysts have called on the Commissioner to clarify what he was doing in a PSNI vehicle and whether his security arrangements on the day were appropriate, or even legal.
One early report on the incident asserted that Harris’s vehicle had ‘flipped over’, while reports from a range of outlets, including TheJournal.ie, detailed how an emergency button was pushed by a garda on duty at the gates of HQ as they didn’t recognise the car containing the Commissioner.
The force stated on Sunday that normal procedures were followed during the armed escort and that both the gardaí and PSNI were satisfied with this.
Today’s statement issued by the Garda Press Office (and attributed to a Garda spokesperson) read:
There was no security incident at Garda HQ on 25 March 2019.
A newly installed bollard malfunctioned and caught the underside of the vehicle the Commissioner was travelling in.
This happened at a walking pace. No vehicles were flipped. The malfunction was quickly fixed and vehicular traffic went in and out of Garda HQ as normal that day.
As per our previous statement, normal movement procedures were followed in relation to the Commissioner.
It’s understood the Commissioner would normally be transferred from a PSNI vehicle to a Garda one when travelling from the North, but it appears that in this case that didn’t happen.
Responding to today’s Garda statement Sinn Féin justice spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said it raised as many questions as it answered.
“First of all, it appears to offer a new explanation for the bollard striking the Commissioner’s car, as a malfunction, where previously it had been reported as being as a result of a Garda sentinel responding to an unknown car, that is the unmarked PSNI car containing Mr Harris. It is hard to understand how it took 48 hours to clarify this point,” the TD said in a statement.
“There are some outstanding issues that must be addressed. These issues are being raised by former members of the Gardaí and Security experts as well as by opposition TDs.
“Clearly there must be a review of what took place, so that there is no repeat. It has since emerged that when Mr Harris became commissioner in September, the Garda and the PSNI agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding on how to handle his security arrangements. However, it is understood this has yet to be completed. That needs to happen to ensure the best possible security arrangements.”
Speaking to this website yesterday security analyst Tom Clonan said that because of the change in jurisdiction, the border region is the most vulnerable area, a “weak link” for security.
“They should have been travelling by air, by helicopter,” he said.
I don’t know why they weren’t. A few people have been killed over the years being moved from one vehicle to another.
Clonan also described how, as a former Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI, Harris was a target for dissident republicans on both sides of the border.
As a high-ranking garda and former police officer, he said the Commissioner would have been travelling with the armed Close Protection Unit in Northern Ireland.
“There’s no way they would have driven anywhere in Northern Ireland without him on board,” he said.
“There were members of the PSNI Close Protection Unit carrying weapons in Ireland. And they are not allowed to do that under law.
It’s a violation of our sovereignty, and an unlawful and illegal act.
Sinn Féin’s Ó Laoghaire, in his statement today, also said questions needed to be answered in this area. “Our understanding is that PSNI officers are not ordinarily permitted to carry firearms in the Republic,” Ó Laoghaire said.
In a statement yesterday, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan offered his support to both police forces while also appearing to distance himself from the incident.
The Minister acknowledged the reciprocal arrangements between gardaí and the PSNI for those travelling between both jurisdictions, saying they are “practical” and “risk-based”.
But he added: “Having said that, I understand that there has been a minor incident involving a car travelling at about walking pace.
“I am advised that the travel and security arrangements on this occasion were in line with standard practice.”
- With reporting from Stephen McDermott
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‘Caught the underside of the vehicle the Commissioner was travelling in.’ That’s OK, now for the important piece of information, was this vehicle a PSNI or AGS vehicle, if it was PSNI, then why and secondly was there armed PSNI support with him in this vehicle. That’s what people want clarified and if there was armed support, was this sanctioned by the Minister for Justice.
@Dave.: Simple questions, the longer they try to brush it away without answering the bigger the story gets…
@Dave.: to be fair everything you’ve asked but the permission is answered in the article. Travelled from the North in a PSNI vehicle with PSNI CPU. Once it was cleared in advance then its all OK in my opinion. Makes no sense to me to switch cars at the border. The real question is was it reciprocal on his journey North. Was he brought in a garda vehicle under garda protection the whole way. Also, on the helicopter issue, wasn’t Michael D criticised for that recently? I know its not a point you’ve made but it just seems like people will have an issue either way.
@MickN: it’s true, it’s almost like the FAI saying that Delaney stepping down from the CEO role had nothing to do with extremely irregular accounting practices. The commissioner is either a Moran or doesn’t give a damn about the law and thinks he is above it.
@Cal Mooney: His name is Harris not Moran.
@Eamonn Ó Maoldomhnaigh: Sorry Drew, that must have gone over your head, a bit like the PSNI Jeep after the Garda activated the bollard.
@Dave.: https://tenor.com/teLe.gif
@Dave.: Yes, there was armed members of the R.U.C. In The Armored Car.!!
The bollard malfunctioned? Haha yeah good one!
@Paul Costello: it’s the old “Move along now, nothing to see here” the auld RUC are deadly at the coverup. Haha.
They’re Literally trying a “NOTHING TO SEE HERE”! Until soneone goes on record proving no policy or laws were broken and they wilo definitively state armed PSNI officers weren’t allowed simply drive to Dublin, there is a HUGE story here. Imagine if the Previous Comissioner had an accident in Derry and it turned out his entourage were armed and never asked UK permission, good chance the ambassador would be summoned over such a flagrant abuse of sovereignty! Huge scandal when you reverse jurisdictions.
@Tony O’Regan: Bullshit! Huge story my ass.
Aye right!
Do they think we’re as thick as his bullet proof glass?
More credibility from the spoofing satirical politician in little Britain.
Same old same old.
@Finbar: they do
Why were armed psni in the republic with our? Garda chief that’s what I want to know. Who is he working for who is he friends with. Why their vehicle this is really concerning. I had no issue until now.
As if u can believe the Garda at this point on anything
So The PSNI can send armed officers over the border and into Garda Headquarters whenever they want. Where is the Garda who was on duty that evening, are TUSLA preparing a file
Faulty bollard eh…
Well that clears that up……
Actually I would rather believe that a member of an garda was doing his/her job by activating the device.
Perhaps a statement from the Garda on duty at the gate might clarify what happened
@Johnny Monaghan: Wouldn’t like to be in his Shoes right now.!!
@Johnny Monaghan: Sure they should ask the Omnibus man to investigate this, yes, give it to GSOC, they will find the Cause.
@Johnny Monaghan: probably on career break which started this morning
Off all the cars in all the land it happened to be Harris’s armed PSNI carrying illegally held gun men
This game s the country we live in folks typical Fine Gael nothing to see here They treat us citizens like Mushrooms
Well I would like to think Ordinary decent citizens have more intelligence then the press office of An Garda Siochana the statement is a total embarrassment
@Eire:Illegally held gun men? Who was holding the gun men?How was it illegal?
That warm yellowy liquid running down the back of your neck is in fact rain, carry on
Nothing normal about armed PSNI travelling our roads, but Harris is going to make it normal.even thought it breaks Irish law,but sure what odds.
“Nothing to see here folks, keep moving along now”.
Sure that’s what happened, it malfunctioned.. And no questions of why close armed support agents of Britian where within Irish jurisdiction.
Controversy comes with the position of commissioner.. Fáilte
A mis-functioning bollard? At this time of the year? In this part of the country? At that time of day? Localized entirely in the Commissioner’s vehicle? May we see it?
@Windom Earle: yes, tune in next week for the conclusion. Same bat time, same bat channel.
Non-story
Nuttin toh sea hear – muve along an stoup askin aukward kewstions
Remnants of the corrupt Callinan/O`Sullivan era and their friends in the DO`B media are out in force since this non story came to light. The knives are out for Harris and they will seize any opportunity to try to discredit him, and try to insinuate all sorts of conspiracy theories in order to prevent the Commissioners determination to root out corruption in the force. Hence we have Noreen O`Sullivan mouthpiece Paul Williams droning on with a half page in today`s Indo, ditto former Chief Supt,John O`Brien on the radio news yesterday, all the usual suspects, to coin a phrase.
They were probably on the way to evict someone after dropping off their mate. No big deal.
Someone must’ve fell on the button, oh my days hope he’s ok.
Or maybe the good and dilligent Garda did his job and activated the barrier when he saw a Jeep full of armed psni officers approaching Garda HQ
@David Malone: Do you think that it was done on purpose? The person on the button surely got the “Billy” . Great job, well done.
So now the guards can just put out statements that are obviously lying to us and we should just accept it?
That’s how it’ll be under Harris, once a RUC man, always a RUC man. Don’t worry about the dumb paddys, just fill them full of rubbish.
@SidNolan: Obviously lying? How so?
Perhaps his armed escort travelled to the border in separate cars as is the case with most escorts. His driver would be unarmed. At the border the psni armed escort stops and the Garda ERU of whoever’s detailed to escort him picks him up without the need for a stop to change into a different car thus eliminating any risk to him. If that’s the case there’s nothing unusual about it. At the Phoenix park there’s anpr number plate recognition and that’s what possibly triggered the barrier. But people will make a controversy out of it to suit whatever agenda they have
@Eamonn O Connell: spot on
@Eamonn O Connell: I don’t know about you but until someone goes on record providing evidence the PSNI officers were unarmed I’m believing they were. The fact they javen’t stated that is also suspicious to say the least.
@Tony O’Regan: but who has suggested that they were……. Tom Cloonan who has to stay relevant or possibly the unbiased Sinn Fein spokesperson I can understand where you’re coming from but do we have to have an explanation for every small incident just because some people have an axe to grind
@Eamonn O Connell: No axe to grind, it wouldn’t make sense for the comissioner’s PSNI entourage not to be armed. Also this breach of international law would by far be the biggest thing about this scandal, if they were looking to kill the story it’s the first thing they’d have said… they haven’t brought up the issue at all, or attempted to quell the fear. Until proven otherwise, any citizen with half a brain and the knowledge of how the Gardai have performed in the last decade, including the top brass, should take it as far more likely these officers were armed.
@Tony O’Regan: I agree his PSNI security detail would be armed of course but I’d also assume that they’d travel in separate cars….. his driver was most likely unarmed and on reaching the border the armed elements stopped. Not suggesting you have any axe to grind but the people making a drama out of this most certainly have and if it gets clicks then the journal will certainly big it up with analysis from security consultant Tom etc
@Tony O’Regan: ” Also this breach of international law ” What are you on about????
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/firearms-carried-by-psni-in-republic-for-last-six-years-1.3853786
@Eamonn O Connell: hmm u keep saying perhaps & most likely unarmed? but PSNI are armed – fact. But even if unarmed they are not allowed cross border in vechicle or uniform on duty or not.
@CrabaRev: yes, once authorized by minister specifically, I’ve commented elsewhere this is an easy paper trail to provide, strange either a denial the PSNI officers were armed nor the ministers consent for them to be armed have been provided. There’s no legislation saying it’s ok for PSNI to carry firearms into ROI without minister’s approval as far as I know, if this is the practice the story is even more of a scandal.
@Tony O’Regan: Is there any legislation to say its not okay?
“as far as I know”, “if this is the practice” You are making it up as you go along, aren’t you. I am still laughing at your earlier “breach of international law” comment.
Did you read the article I linked to? – “A reciprocal arrangement is in place since 2013 between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI relating to the carriage of firearms in relation to certain people travelling between the two jurisdictions.”
@fianna1: so PSNI personnel coming for joint policing meetings aren’t allowed cross the border and also the other way around so deli they set up chairs each side and chat across the border
@Eamonn O Connell: so do they set up chairs
@Eamonn O Connell: Yes neither are are allowed cross border – PSNI into Republic likewise Gardai into North.
@CrabaRev: Of course I did, did you?
“the Minister for Justice had the power to grant firearm certificates to foreign personnel “where it is deemed necessary to do so” – show the paper trail/emails so, easily done.
John O’Brien, retired Garda chief superintendent and former national head of Interpol and Europol, said the incident raised questions about the commissioner’s judgment.
“It is not standard operating procedure, the usual way that we do things, that an armed escort from the PSNI would travel to Garda headquarters to protect the commissioner of the Garda Síochána,” he said.
“Drew Harris needs to indicate why he exercised this particular judgment in this case because it is, in my professional experience, most unusual,” – you’d imagine an interpol staff member would know about cross jurisdiction procedure.
(Ex Minister) Ahern said his Garda driver would usually wait with a friend of Mr Ahern’s in Newry and “have a cup of tea” until the PSNI brought the minister back. PSNI officers would never escort him south past the Border, he said. – this is not business as usual.
Unless backed by legislation, “gentlemen’s agreements” aren’t legal, it’s why the navy impounded NI boats fishing in Irish waters and why legislation had to be introduced to make it law. We are governed by parliament legislation, not what the Minister or Comissioner decides, yes as far as I know, I’m not a legal expert, are you? The burden of proof isn’t on me anyway, it’s on your side to prove a law hasn’t been broken. Until the permission slips are shown I believe it has.
@Tony O’Regan: everyone that knows what happened were at the gate of HQ at the relevant time , the beans will be spilled quietly , the story will evolve and the lying statements from the Government thety rules by SPIN will keep saying that Nothing happened.
@Tony O’Regan:
“Unless backed by legislation, “gentlemen’s agreements” aren’t legal”
A completely baseless statement.
“The burden of proof isn’t on me anyway, it’s on your side to prove a law hasn’t been broken.”
It most certainly is on you. You cannot go around accusing people of breaking the law without: a) any evidence, and b) knowing if the particular law exists.
I suspect you are on your way to school, so I’ll let you off.
@fianna1: of course they are but their jurisdiction doesn’t extend across the border they cannot carry a firearm across
What an utterly ridiculous statement. Nobody cares about the damage to the vehicle. The issue which is NOT addressed in this statement is why is the Garda Commissioner travelling in a PSNI vehicle with armed protection in the Republic of Ireland. Now, address the issue or do not issue silly press releases that make it look even worse.
@Isabel Oliveira: Maybe he feels more “at home” with them, I can’t believe that he’s that well got in Garda HQ. Hardly too many inviting him out to dinner.
He hit the backstop!
Apparently the vehicle was also being escorted by a group of flying pigs. No pun intended. Believe that and etc etc
No one believes you Garda stop telling lies, the public might think a little bit more of you if you were to actually tell the truth
With prior permission, weapons can be carried.
@Dexter: Of course, as they do for secret service etc biut this has to be approved by minister and there’s a paper trail if this is the case, easy to disprove. Saying something doesn’t make it true and sadly our Garda PR team have form with regards this.
@Dexter: Well Charlie Flanagan is Minister for Justice ..
@Marg FitzGerald: Charlie Failagain
Bull poo!
It only malfunctioned because he never announced what he was arriving in and the person on the gate hit the emergency button to lift the ram barrier, so in that respect I suppose he’s right, it did malfunction
@justasheedy: ah Mal Function a brother of Maggie Function.
Ha Ha, I said last Sunday on this Journal that the FG spin would “SPIN” in , and I was correct, but this SPIN is now just beyond belief. Do they think that the Irish People are complete thicks. Yes , Varadka and Co. do actually believe that, they are a “Crew” onto themselves. Obviously every Senior Officer in HQ will say nothing for fear of reprisals. Hopefully, the Media will delve further into this now and Shame them. This is a prime example of the lies that They are Spinning all the time.
Who cares . Armed security forces travel south for ceremonial duties , military funerals so on . You think this was unusual.
An intelligence malfunction ahaha
What a non story. I dispair at the level of comment. It reminds me of correcting third class compositions.
@Archie Hinfey: your analysis skills must be impaired then if you think this is a non story .
Nothing much in this. It just looks all wrong to the ground floor , it looks like firstly I’m a PSNI man and then a Garda. Sends wrong message
Their still not answering the questions
Is this even a story? Jesus H Christ.
The Outrage astounds me there has been armed brits in Ireland for a lot longer.
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