PSNI and garda GAA teams to visit Áras

GAA teams from An Garda Síochána and the PSNI will today pay their first joint visit to President Mary McAleese at Áras an Úachtaráin.

The engagement takes place just days before Saturday’s first rugby international between Ireland and England at GAA’s Croke Park headquarters.

The PSNI set up a Gaelic football team soon after the GAA lifted its Rule 21ban on members of the British security forces playing Gaelic games in 2001.

The President’s spokeswoman said: “The engagement is not specifically timed to coincide with this weekend’s Six Nations rugby international. The President has invited groups from the PSNI as well as the garda in the past.”

President McAleese hosted a dinner for senior members of the garda and PSNI at Áras an Úachtaráin last year.

The RUC George’s Cross Foundation also visited Áras an Úachtaráin last November along with the Garda Historical Society and the Garda Retired Members Association.

It was the first visit of an RUC group to the Áras.

Tomorrow, Ms McAleese will greet the Irish cricket team prior to their departure for next month’s Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

Mrs McAleese is due to visit Belfast Harlequins rugby club on Thursday.