On Tuesday 24th May 2022 Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will host an event to commemorate the centenary of the inaugural meeting of the ‘Police Organising Committee’ to establish a Police force, An Garda Síochána (The Civic Guard) to replace the Royal Irish Constabulary after the foundation of the Republic of Ireland.
On the 9th February 1922 a secret meeting took place in the Gresham Hotel, chaired by Michael Collins, the Chairman of the Provisional Government of Ireland to establish a new police force for the new republic.
Also present at the meeting that night were Michael Staines, 1st Garda Commissioner and Eoin O’Duffy and Eamon Broy, who both went on to become 2nd and 3rd Garda Commissioners respectively.
Issue Date; 23rd May 2022
The event on the evening of Tuesday 24th May 2022 will consist of Historical talks on the foundation of An Garda Síochána by Historians Dr. Liam Mc Niffe and Sgt John Reynolds.
This will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Anne Cassin, RTE Presenter, on the topic "Has An Garda Síochána lived up to the ideals of those who met in this hotel 100 years ago?”
The panel will include:
• Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Drew Harris
• Dr. Liam Mc Niffe, Historian, Author and Teacher
• Michael Staines, Senior Counsel and Solicitor
• Nora Owen, Minister for Justice 1994 - 1997
• Nóirín O Sullivan, Former Commissioner of An Garda Síochána
• Sergeant John Reynolds (Dr), Garda Historian
The event will be live streamed on the Garda Facebook page.
