Garda members issued with gag order over station closures

Garda bosses have slapped a gagging order on all members of the force regarding the controversial closure of stations.

The directive tells gardaí they are “forbidden to communicate” with public representatives or anyone with a view to lobbying them or influencing them about the closure of stations, the Irish Examiner understands.

The clampdown comes as unconfirmed estimates from reputable sources claim up to 100 Garda stations may be shut down in the next tranche of closures, in addition to the 39 closed this year.

The directive is signed by Assistant Commissioner Fintan Fanning, who is in charge of human resources, and was issued on the authority of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.

The order is seen as a “shot across the bows” of members in the run-up to the second raft of closures. The Garda Commissioner is finalising his assessment on how many more stations should close.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter announced last April there would be further station closures in 2013, saying the country did not need 700 stations.

Given the reported scale of expected closures, it will be a hot political issue, particularly in the communities affected.

The HQ directive says: “Members of An Garda are forbidden to communicate either directly or through some other person with any public representative or other person with the objective of lobbying or otherwise attempting to influence any future decision of the Commissioner without his express authority in this matter.”

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said members were concerned by the directive.

John Redmond, deputy general secretary, said: “We don’t want to see a situation where our members are prevented or restricted from taking their concerns to a representative association as a result of this directive.

“We want to be sure that this isn’t an attempt by the Commissioner or the Government to gag us.

“Communities should be consulted [about station closures], members of the stations should be consulted and staff associations as representatives of members should be consulted — none of that is happening.”

Senior Garda sources said the directive was a reminder of the existing position regarding members of the force not being allowed to get involved with politics.

The Garda Press Office declined to comment.