Garda turban ruling is mindless authoritarianism

IT is a bad day for the reputation of Ireland and for the Garda Siochána when a Sikh is not allowed to wear a turban as part of his uniform.

The commissioner thinks this would give an image the public would not want, but he has not, apparently, bothered to ask them. This is insulting and patronising to the Irish people.

Sikhs have worn uniform turbans of the required colour and with the necessary insignia in every conceivable uniformed service in Britain for as long as I can remember, and I have not once ever heard a word of criticism.

Rather than racism, as has been suggested, I think this is a case of the mindless authoritarian slavery to rules of bureaucratic and managerial types when they are not even bound by them. The criteria should be:

1. Do the turban and beard interfere in any way with the garda’s ability to carry out his duties?

2. Does it adversely affect his relations with the public at large?

3. Is it acceptable within the force?

And it should not be argued that if exceptions are made for Sikhs, then anyone would be entitled to wear what they claimed was religious dress.

This is nonsense; every case must be judged on its merits. Successful policing requires applying laws, rules and regulation wisely.

Michael Job

Rossnagreana

Glengarriff

Co Cork