Commissioner’s Christmas message

The Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly was in studio and spoke with RTE presenter Carla O’Brien on this month’s Crimecall, when he discussed a range of topics including drug crime, rural crime, violent political extremism, roads policing, sexual crimes, and the launch of Tasers and body worn cameras to Gardaí.

On the topic of concern within communities in relation drug intimidation and drug related crime, the Commissioner highlighted the importance of those effected coming forward to An Garda Síochána. By way of reassurance he highlighted the presence of drugs-related intimidation inspectors located in every division throughout the country - These are specially trained officers equipped to deal with people coming forward and have resulted in many successful prosecutions for suspects involved in drugs related intimidation.

On the question of rural crime, the Commissioner acknowledged that many people in rural communities feel isolated and have a fear of crime. He referenced a number of operations, and highlighted a key operation – “Operation Thor”. He explained how It targets residential burglaries, and in the (10) years since its launch, the residential burglary rate has reduced by 75%.

The Commissioner was pleased to announce the appointment of a Superintendent who now has the role of rural crime lead and who will be reaching out to rural communities and groups around the country to work in tandem with the organisation’s strategy for tackling rural policing – facilitating the continuation of putting a lot of resources and capabilities towards tackling each problem.

On the issue of the rise in violent political extremism in Ireland, the Commissioner stated that we're not immune to it here - similar to the UK, and in fact, across wider Europe. He then acknowledged the importance of people’s right to disagree with political positions, and to protest, and that An Garda Síochána would do everything it can to facilitate that. However, he then explained that once you cross the line into violence, you will be dealt with – if necessary by way of arrest and prosecution.

The Commissioner while speaking about the recent activity surrounding the various IPAS centers, explained the role that social media and disinformation by certain individuals have to play.

He then continued that another aspect of this is the targeting of politicians and persons in authority – which he emphasized that a really important message is that, just because you think you're online, you can get away with this, that's absolutely not the case. An Garda Síochána have identified many people suspected of involvement in these types of threats, and dealt with them with arrests, prosecutions and some very significant convictions in the last year. This is a threat that we really take seriously in An Garda Síochána and advise that there are connections to groups abroad.

Speaking about the Crowe reports findings that some Gardaí in Roads Policing were deliberating underperforming. The Commissioner indicated the report stated it was a small minority of officers and that it wasn't an orchestrated behavior.

However, he did want the viewers to know that he takes this extremely seriously, and that all the report’s recommendations have been accepted, and that efforts have been undertaken to rectify a lot of what had been identified.

Finally, he stated that the vast majority of our men and women working, in roads policing do a really good job, and commented that viewers will we seen this firsthand the dedication and passion that they have for it by those appearing on the programme.

On the force's response to victims of domestic abuse, two reports during the year, one by the Garda Inspectorate and another by Women's Aid, which found almost half of women who reported domestic abuse find the response by Garda Aid to be unhelpful. Separately then, data from the Director of Public Prosecutions showed that prosecution was directed in just a third of sexual offences in the last decade.

The Commissioner stated that the reporting of sexual crime has increased in Ireland and he certainly takes that as a marker that people feel safer to come forward and to speak to Gardaí, and he would certainly encourage people who are victims of sexual or domestic abuse to do so.

In relation to sexual crime we now have specialist Garda Divisional Protective Services units   in each division throughout the country. Each comprising of men and women who are highly trained, and highly experienced. He went on to explain that he met with Women's Aid in his first couple of weeks in the organisation and spoke to the Policing Authority who were responsible for that first report. He stated that Domestic Abuse is an absolute scourge to our society and it is important that An Garda Síochána have to be there for victims.

Speaking about the Taser and Body Worn Camera rollout – the Commissioner said thatmembers of the public will now see officers with body cams and what we have found is that it’s really useful tool in the gathering of evidence and to de-escalate violent situations. One of the key areas, being around domestic abuse, allowing our officers capture the whole situation when they get there.

In relation to the Tasers, he said that we're due to launch a pilot this week, for six months. We’re going to have (128) officers issued with a Taser. Every year we have about (300) officers injured, some of them badly, and that's despite the fact that they're already issued with pepper spray and a baton. With Taser’s again, similar to Bodycam’s, all the studies show that it de-escalates situations, even the mere presence of it. But I just want to certainly reassure members of the public, this isn't a move towards arming An Garda Síochána. “This is around protecting our officers, protecting members of the public in really dynamic situations”.

Finally, the Commissioner   thanked the public for all their help during the year that they have provided to An Garda Síochána. He thanked Gardaí and Garda staff for their assistance and dedicated work throughout the year, and in particular all the men and women who are going out there putting their lives literally on the line for us and the public to keep us safe. The Commissioner also mentioned the death of a member on duty earlier in the year - Garda Kevin Flatley, which he said “serves as a reminder and brings home, the dangers”. “My thoughts are with Kevin's family, at this time of year. But again, I look forward to working and leading as the 23rd Commissioner of An Garda Síochána into 2026”.