Dancing garda - Moment of pure fun

Members of the Garda Síochána are seldom accused of stealing — but the young garda who joined in the rocking session at Mitchelstown’s Indiependence festival can certainly be accused of stealing the show.

It was the kind of refreshing gesture you just don’t associate with the men and women in blue. In their private lives they play a part in communities up and down the country, but the nature of the job means they generally remain at arm’s length when in uniform.

That definitely can’t be said of the fun-loving garda reservist whose twinkling feet put the festival on a global map as the video of him dancing on stage has gone viral. So infectious was his enthusiasm that the audience instantly responded as he strutted his stuff.

At a stroke, he has done more to improve the image of the force in the eyes of the public than all the PR hype at the Garda training college in Templemore could ever achieve. Following his stunning performance, there should be no question of him being disciplined. On the contrary, for creating a spontaneous rapport with young people, he deserves to be applauded.

It was a moment of pure fun and in these depressing times that can only be good.