Garda Operations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Questions (487)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

503 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to an incident that resulted in a stand off between gardaí and turfcutters on a bog (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the situation escalated due to the actions of a garda who called in the emergency response unit; the name of the garda who called the ERU; his views on the Garda’s handling of the situation; the reason the ERU or members of Garda special branch were called in and if they were armed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32028/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

An Garda Síochána have a duty to uphold the law and in the course of the incident referred to had to deal with a difficult situation which was not of their making. The background to the protest is well known and the legal position with respect to continued turf cutting on protected bogs is unambiguous.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the services of the Emergency Response Unit or the Special Detective Unit were not utilised during the incidents referred to. Personnel from the Western Regional Support Unit, in unarmed mode, supplemented Garda personnel deployed to this incident but were not utilised and continued to conduct regular patrols within the Garda Division. I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, at both a national and local level, to ensure compliance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.

Policing strategies are, of course, a matter for An Garda Síochána and while I, as Minister, have no direct role in such matters, I have every confidence that the Gardaí continue to carry out their duties in a fully professional manner. The Gardaí have my full and unequivocal support in their efforts to uphold the law.