Could this be the actions of a Garda?

Noopti

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this, if so, mods feel free to move it.

Basically I was wondering if the following actions could be "normal" or possible for an off duty garda.

I was driving on the N2 to Ashbourne, and there was someone driving a Volkswagon Passat in the overtaking lane. They were basically sitting in the overtaking lane the whole time even when the left lane was clear. So I was behind them just waiting, then we did come to some cars in the left lane, and overtook them. We passed them and once again the car would not move into the left lane.
I then moved into the left lane and ended up driving alongside the car (I know I should not have done this, and believe me I regret it!). My window was rolled down and I pointed to the left lane, to basically say "you should be in that lane" (again, something else I regret doing now, and shouldn't have done). I didn't do it in an aggressive way. I just pointed and sort of shrugged at him as if to say "what are you at??".

He then indicates with his hand for me to pullover. I shook my head as I would never pull over for someone unless I knew for sure they had the authority to ask for this. He then put his fist up to the window and again pointed for me to pullover. When I didn't, he pulled ahead and then pulled right in front of me and jammed on the brakes. I almost hit him, he then jammed on again. We basically went from about 115 kph to about 40 kph in about 6 seconds and I was very close to hitting him. At that point I was very nervous about the whole thing. I quickly pulled out and overtook him and moved ahead to try and get some cars between us. As I passed he once again put his fist to the window and then gave the "wanker" gesture to me. I managed to get a few cars between us as the road went into a single lane and that was the end of it.

Afterwards I started thinking "could he have been an off duty garda?" with they way he was trying to get me to pullover, but then I thought there is no way a Garda would make the violent gestures or drive so dangerously to try and force me into the hard shoulder. But it is playing on my mind now that I could get a letter in the door about it!

So basically just wondering would an off duty garda use such methods to get someone to pullover? It seemed extremely dangerous. I am assuming he was just an extremely aggressive driver, but if that is the case I can only imagine what would have happened had I pulled over thinking he was a Garda.

Again, sorry for the rant and I hope this is the right place to post this!

DubMedic

If he did not show you an ID or wear the uniform of An Garda Siochána then there is no way to be sure if he is a garda or not.

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this but it certainly won't be answered in a way as to put off-duty members of AGS into disrepute, just to point out.

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Turner

Definitely not an off duty Garda.

Every Garda knows how to deal with this situation.

And it does not entail trying to pull over the car yourself in your own car.

Even though you did nothing wrong. I regularly pass "overtakeing lane hoggers" on the inside.

Even did it to a cash escort (cop car, army jeep, £$£$£$ van, army jeep) recently that was hogging the outside lane. you are perfectly entitled to do it.

Might be better to keep gestures to yourself and quietly call him a w@nker under your breath and get on with your day.

Noopti

Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure a Garda would not try to get someone to pullover in such a dangerous way, but the fact that he was adamant for me to pullover gave me second thoughts.

I regret making the gesture, for sure a lesson learned!
I am also not looking to bring the actions of off duty Gardai into disrepute, just wondering if Garda would be within their rights to try to pull someone over in such a manner.

I figure that in such a situation a Garda would normally just note my reg number or something. Even though I don't think I did anything illegal, stupid yes, but not illegal.

Noopti

Noopti wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure a Garda would not try to get someone to pullover in such a dangerous way, but the fact that he was adamant for me to pullover gave me second thoughts.

I regret making the gesture, for sure a lesson learned!
I am also not looking to bring the actions of off duty Gardai into disrepute, just wondering if Garda would be within their rights to try to pull someone over in such a manner.

I figure that in such a situation a Garda would normally just note my reg number or something. Even though I don't think I did anything illegal, stupid yes, but not illegal.

There are some muppets who would try to pull over a car while off duty but they will usually flash a badge at you. It is not encouraged for members to do this, we are told to report it to the local station or traffic watch just like members of the public.

the locust

Whilst anything is possible, i doubt that he was a guard.
As mentioned he would have flashed his ID badge and gestured to pull over.

Perhaps if you got his reg no. you could report him to traffic watch or your local Garda Station.

I sure as hell wouldn't pull over for anyone who didn't identify themselves and i'd want to see some blue lights on the vehicle.

Shield

I think we've safely established this wasn't a Garda, therefore... thread closed.