State to send gardaí to help train Afghan police force

THE Department of Justice is moving forward with plans to send gardaí to Afghanistan to help train the country’s embattled police force as well as assisting the war-torn nation’s justice system with Irish lawyers.

Initially up to five gardaí of different ranks will be chosen to join the training force known as EUPOL, and are expected to arrive in Kabul, the capital, by the end of the year.

A sizeable number of gardaí have already expressed interest in the foreign postings, which will include increased salaries and allowances for tours of up to six months.

A department source said a final proposal by Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy on the posts will have to be approved by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and the Government before gardaí join the EUPOL force.

More than 20 EU member states have so far given indications about contributing to the police training mission.

Some states are reluctant to send personnel because of the danger and lack of clear guidelines over training a police force that was initially supposed to number 96,000 but now seems likely to rise to 160,000 by next year, once Nato forces leave.

Irish Senator Ann Ormand met Afghan MPs at the parliament yesterday while visiting Christian Aid work in the country.

Ms Ormand said gardaí could play an important role. The senator is carrying out a report for fellow Oireachtas members while here on women’s rights and other issues.

Meanwhile, a Taliban suicide car bomber struck a NATO convoy in Kabul yesterday killing 18 people, including five US soldiers, a Canadian soldier and 12 civilians.

It was the deadliest strike on the capital in more than a year.

The blast was on a major road that runs by the ruins of a one-time royal palace. It wrecked nearly 20 vehicles and scattered debris across the wide boulevard.