Garda discretion can build a link between communities and police

The Garda Síochána is on its knees. Almost regularly we hear about abuses of power, penalty points being knocked off, and summonses disappearing. But why are we only hearing this now? This kind of bullshit has been going on for years. Has anyone ever tried doing something about it?

The Irish judicial system has a good phrase for this: Garda discretion. When young Michael decides he’s going to play boy racer for the night he knows he’ll get away with it. Plainly for the reason “sure my father owns the local pub and superintendent drinks in there, it’ll be grand”. And when Michael is caught speeding by the local garda, sure enough he’s given a warning and told to go home, even though he could have easily killed someone.

Is this really a flawed system? How about when the person has a genuine reason to break the law? Rushing to visit a sick mother on her deathbed? Or maybe there’s a cow in difficulty calving at the farm? Or “sorry sergeant, I’m late for the local Junior B Hurling Final, sure your probably on your way there yourself? Hop in”. Where do we draw the line with garda discretion? Should we have any garda discretion whatsoever if it cannot be regulated? Or is nepotism and local civilian involvement in the force so high it is nigh impossible to regulate? It definitely gives GSOC good reason to come in and stir local matters up for the gardaí.

I firmly believe that within two years there will be an overhaul of the [force]... Officers moved to unfamiliar jurisdictions, a new summons delivery system, mandatory penalty point enforcement with little or no appeals, and an outside commissioner appointed. And whilst the force will find favour with the nationwide media and the highly flawed government will be shown to have reformed [it], a larger problem will arise.

Young Michael will no longer be able to pretend he’s the next Michael Schumacher and get away with it. His father the pub owner will no longer be so eager to serve the local superintendent ... and the locals who benefited from garda discretion will no longer trust their police force. This will result in a renewed hatred for the gardaí, with the public no longer willing to help them in matters more important than penalty points.

I might be wrong in saying this, but if someone is willing to give the gardaí information on a criminal matter, for the sake of a few penalty points being wiped, I think it’s worth it . Whilst garda discretion has flaws ... if these problems are overcome, it can be a vital link between a strong community and a struggling police force.

John Canty

Townview

Mallow

Co Cork