Prime Time garda programme biased, insists Conroy

GARDA Commissioner Noel Conroy yesterday broke his silence on the RTÉ Prime Time programme on alleged garda brutality, describing it as unbalanced and biased.

But Mr Conroy rejected calls from the president of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) that he should be in the media, presenting the force’s position, such as in relation to the RTÉ report.

Addressing the AGSI annual conference in Cork, he said: “I, as commissioner, have no intention of personally responding to such a programme as some commentators would like me to do.

“I firmly believe, and I’ve always believed that if we as an organisation work the work, and not talk the talk, the people that matter in this country will see for themselves that we care and so continue to give us excellent support in policing this wonderful nation,” he said to applause.

But he added: “I am satisfied that the programme wasn’t balanced, was biased and did not give the background of some of the individuals that were presented as law-abiding citizens.”

In his speech, AGSI president Joe Dirwan said the commissioner should be representing the force in the media.

“He is the only one whom the public will accept as the face of the Garda Síochána.

“Only his words have the full authority of his office. In cases like the Prime Time programme, he should be on our screens and not anyone else.”

Mr Dirwan said the AGSI national executive had lodged a complaint with RTÉ and the RTÉ Authority over the programme.

In his address, Justice Minister Michael McDowell described the programme as “unbalanced”.

He said that when he agreed to be interviewed he was told it would be about the Garda Síochána Bill.

He said he was instead asked questions about individual cases.

He said he was not happy with the interview and terminated it in minutes.

In his first address to a garda body since becoming commissioner, Mr Conroy said he was particularly concerned with the growth in cocaine use.

He also said that since February 2002, 137,000 public order offences had been detected under Operation Encounter, which targets pubs, clubs and take- aways.

In addition, there were 17,000 assaults.

“The single most aggravating ingredient in the public order issue continues to be the abuse of alcohol.

“I support emphatically calls for a change in the Irish attitude to the use and abuse of alcohol,” he said.

He called on gardaí to “up their work rate” on tackling public disorder.

He said he accepted criticisms from Mr Dirwan regarding the late arrival of directives from his office regarding new legislation, such as the new Control of Tobacco rules.

But he said he did not always receive proper notice of new legislation.

Mr Dirwan told the commissioner garda resources were near crisis levels.

“We no longer have enough sergeants and inspectors to properly monitor and supervise the junior members.

“And we no longer have enough to perform all the duties which are at present being downloaded onto us,” he added.