Garda strikes: Worries over road safety, assaults, and possible gangland feud murders
They are particularly concerned at the consequences for road safety, public disorder, assaults and robberies — and fear it will provide a “golden opportunity” to the Kinahan cartel in carrying out assassinations.
“I’m not saying it will be Armageddon, but it’s going to be a very, very dangerous situation for both the public and the State,” said a senior source.
The association supporting families of homicide victims expressed concern at the impact on Garda support and communication to their families and any effect on court cases.
Meanwhile, Policing Authority chair Josephine Feehily said she welcomed discussions that had started between the parties.
“My hope is that these will conclude successfully and that the threatened industrial action will not occur,” she told the Irish Examiner.
The Garda commissioner’s contingency plans began with certainty yesterday after Monday’s decision by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.
Its 2,000 members have joined the Garda Representative Association, with 10,500 members, in withdrawing labour on the same dates — November 4, 11, 18, and 25.
Nóirín O’Sullivan and her team will also watch the outcome of Thursday’s meeting between AGSI and Department of Justice officials.
Senior sources also said they were “caught off guard” by AGSI’s decision to begin industrial action this Friday by refusing to use the Garda Pulse system and, the following Friday, buy refusing to do administrative duties.
“If sergeants and inspectors decided not to go on strike on the same days as the GRA, we might have got through it,” said one senior source. “Now, it’s going to be impossible.”
Garda figures provided to the Irish Examiner show there are just 218 senior officers left — 165 superintendents, 45 chief superintendents, and eight assistant commissioners.
There are 529 probationary gardaí in stations — providing a total strength of 747.
It is likely 450 students in Templemore College will be called up and that up to 789 Garda reservists could be asked to work, if they are available. However, sources pointed out that probationers, students, and reservists must have sworn gardaí accompanying them.
“Do you ask a probationer or student to be the first responder to a robbery, or to intervene in public disorder?” said a source. “There is a duty of care on the employer and the last thing we want is a GSOC inquiry.”
He said key problems on Friday evenings and nights were road accidents, public disorder, and assaults.
On Monday, GRA leaders asked members working in the Emergency Response Unit and Regional Support Units to turn up for duty and for members of the Technical Bureau to remain on call.
But sources said this will be no replacement for the constant armed patrolling and checkpoints aimed at keeping a lid on further Kinahan-Hutch violence.
“This could be a golden opportunity to the Kinahan cartel,” said one source.
Advocates for the Victims of Homicide said their concerns were for the families they supported and any impact on Garda communication or any disruption to court dates.
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