Reliance on electricity leaves Garda communications system vulnerable to extreme weather and terrorism

An Garda Síochána's communications network crashed during Storm Éowyn and a lack of generators in some stations also compromised the force’s ability to respond. File photo: Niall Carson/PA

Communities are being left vulnerable during potential terrorist attacks and extreme weather events due to insufficient communications networks, a garda has warned.

An Garda Síochána's communications network crashed during Storm Éowyn and a lack of generators in some stations also compromised the force’s ability to respond, Detective Sergeant Rose McGirl said.

“Storm Éowyn highlighted certain organizational vulnerabilities, particularly in the area of infrastructure,” Det. Sgt McGirl said.

Gardaí and other emergency services, including the Ambulance Service, Coast Guard and Civil Defence, use the secure communications network TETRA, or Terrestrial Trunked Radio. But the radio network relies on the standard ESB grid which went down during Storm Éowyn, she said.

“That left our membership isolated and unable to respond to calls,” Det. Sgt McGirl said. A back-up communications system that does not rely on the electricity grid, like a satellite system, is needed in garda stations, she said.

“If there was a more serious terrorist event we would be relying heavily on our communications and if it's that vulnerable that clearly creates other issues. That leaves the [garda] membership very isolated. It also leaves the public […] vulnerable."

Unprecedented damage was caused to the electricity network during Storm Éowyn in January, leaving some 768,000 customers without electricity.

A motion calling for the Garda Commissioner to conduct a readiness assessment in the event of future red weather warnings was made at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors annual conference in Killarney.

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“We're asking the [Garda] Commissioner to get the [Office of Public Works] OPW to conduct an assessment of our stations, particularly those that are open 24 hours and that have custody areas, to ensure that they have a back-up service, i.e. generators.

“Not all stations have generators and that has a significant impact as well in our capacity to respond during severe weather events. We're calling on a specific bespoke plan to be able to address red warning events,” Det. Sgt McGirl said.

She called for increased collaboration between emergency services in planning for red weather events. “So that, for example, the fire service could provide appropriate transportation for our members to be able to attend calls safely."

Garda patrol cars are insufficient during extreme weather events, and although there is a garda fleet of 4x4s, these too are not appropriate in extreme weather, she said. But increased collaboration with other emergency services, like the fire service, can ensure that gardaí can respond safely to calls in appropriate vehicles.