Garda in Drogheda Stn drinking/hungover while on duty?

enol

I went into the Drogheda Garda Station yesterday to produce documents & speak with whoever was on the front desk, there were quite a few people waiting for assistance by the time someone came out, and when he did, the smell of drink off him would knock out a horse, the person with me said the same.
There was a slit glass partition with a 'speak hole' at the front desk, similar to what would be in a bank but it wasnt enough to stop the smell coming through.
He looked groggy and tired and everything seemed like hard work for him, but maybe he looked liked that all the time, I dont know? I know its up to everyone what they do in their own time but this cant be right, surely garda can't turn up for work half cut or so hungover that it affects their ability to do quite a resonsible job?
I'm afraid to report it in case he starts making trouble for me, and dont even know whether reporting it would have any consequences anyway? What should a person do in this situation or is it even worth bothering? They seem to be a law unto themselves.

timmywex

http://www.gardaombudsman.ie/gsoc-garda-ombudsman-complaints.htm#Step3Howdoyoumakeacomplaint


If he smelt of drink its obvious, otherwise maybe he may well of been tired, depends what overtime/roster patern he was on or doing i guess

the_wheel_turns

I've dealt with the Garda barracks in Drogheda many times, and on each occasion have never been impressed with the reaction I received from the lower-ranking gardaí.

They seem to forget that their job is to provide a civic duty, and to me, that, at the very least, must be done in a cordial manner.

I'd complain.

oceallachain

enol wrote: »

I went into the Drogheda Garda Station yesterday to produce documents & speak with whoever was on the front desk, there were quite a few people waiting for assistance by the time someone came out

If you go to a Garda station and you have to wait please realise that in most Garda stations one sole Garda is responsible for prisoners (priority is given here by statute law), 999 emergency calls, cctv monitoring (if installed, normal telphone operating (3 handsets in my station), radio control (despatching cars etc) and desk queries (e.g. the original poster). It's an extremely demanding role so please have patience!

enol wrote: »

when he did, the smell of drink off him would knock out a horse, the person with me said the same.
There was a slit glass partition with a 'speak hole' at the front desk, similar to what would be in a bank but it wasnt enough to stop the smell coming through.

This is unacceptable and could easily warrant disiplinary action. Its terrible to hear a member of the public having such an experience.

enol wrote: »

What should a person do in this situation or is it even worth bothering? They seem to be a law unto themselves.

You started this thread speaking about one Garda so your use of the word "They" is unwarranted in my opinion. Just because we all dress the same doesn't mean we all are the same!

enol

oceallachain wrote: »

You started this thread speaking about one Garda so your use of the word "They" is unwarranted in my opinion. Just because we all dress the same doesn't mean we all are the same!

Yes, oceallachain, you're right there, I have met & dealt with some Garda that are a credit to the force, (maybe you were one of them?;)) but unfortunately, in my experience and opinion, they are the minority, and it's the majority that gives the force its reputation. I could go into these experiences to back up what I am saying but that would get too far off topic, and as you said, I started this thread speaking about one Garda. It is the combination of these experiences & knowledge that leads me to think reporting this one Garda would have more repercussions for myself than for the one Garda involved, hence the line: "They (majority) seem to be a law unto themselves".
No offence intended, I know, there are good guys too. But the guy who's drinking on the job is making their jobs even more difficult by influencing public opinion, and the actions of other Garda (I know, off topic:rolleyes:) have influenced my decision on whether to report this, in case he decides to 'get back' at me through one of his colleagues.

Woodywonder

Was he as smart as the Guard off the Simpsons aswell?? Joke
But seriously, are Guards not meant to be setting an example for the public. I imagine it isnt in their job description but when you have first hand experience with guards that weild power over the public you would like to feel assured that they are stand up people that are "helping" the public to uphold the laws of the country. The very least you would expect is not to be knocked out by the smell of drink from one.

Ive had good and bad experiences from guards, there are good guards no doubt but it is always the bad ones that leave a lasting impression head. On the whole, my opinion, (and everyone is entilted to theirs) the police force in this country is a bumbling shambles. If you look at the UK or even Australia, the officers that appear on television or that meet you on the street act friendly, educated, and their attitude is great. They seem to treat you as a good person a until proved otherwise and they act like they are human and not arrogant robots with the power of the world under them, these are things that seem lacking here. Theres a lot more I could say, but basically, until the guards out there weed out those on the force that make the rest of them look bad, it is hard for the public to respect them, even subconsiously.

Gergiev

the_wheel_turns wrote: »

I've dealt with the Garda barracks in Drogheda many times, and on each occasion have never been impressed with the reaction I received from the lower-ranking gardaí.

They seem to forget that their job is to provide a civic duty, and to me, that, at the very least, must be done in a cordial manner.

I'd complain.

TWT, I can only concur with every word you have written.

I had a couple of fairly serious issues with them and basically had to make a nuisance of myself to get anything done.

The response both at the counter and on the phone was lamentable.

What particularly drove it home to me was that one of these issues also involved the PSNI who were absolutely excellent in terms of performance and liaison.

enry

oceallachain wrote: »

If you go to a Garda station and you have to wait please realise that in most Garda stations one sole Garda is responsible for prisoners (priority is given here by statute law), 999 emergency calls, cctv monitoring (if installed, normal telphone operating (3 handsets in my station), radio control (despatching cars etc) and desk queries (e.g. the original poster). It's an extremely demanding role so please have patience!



This is unacceptable and could easily warrant disiplinary action. Its terrible to hear a member of the public having such an experience.


You started this thread speaking about one Garda so your use of the word "They" is unwarranted in my opinion. Just because we all dress the same doesn't mean we all are the same!

I have never had a problem with the gardai and I have never come to their attention. However I have had reason in recent times to change my opinion over an incident that happened to one of my best friends. He was arrested and in my legal opinion there was absolutely no reason for him to be arrested. He then had to get an ex-girlfriend of his who is a cop to intercede on his behalf to prevent him from going to court. I advised him to let them bring him to court but he was too worried.

Sorry I also remember another incident. a number of years ago I rang a garda station I was working handling personal injury claims and I got talking to a gaurd and he gave me some information (the name of a builder whom may have been responsible for leaving muck on a road and which at the time I felt my have been at least partly responsible for an accident in which injury to a young girl was caused) he then explained that if he saw his name on a report I’d be sorry. What a joke here I was in Dublin this guy was in the middle of the country he does not know me and I've identified myself as being from a very large company and this guy threatens me.

The point is that I’m sure if I looked over my life I probably had many encounters with the gardai which were positive but I don’t remember them. It is a question of a few giving them all a bad name.

prinz

enry wrote: »

I have never had a problem with the gardai and I have never come to their attention. However I have had reason in recent times to change my opinion over an incident that happened to one of my best friends. He was arrested and in my legal opinion there was absolutely no reason for him to be arrested. He then had to get an ex-girlfriend of his who is a cop to intercede on his behalf to prevent him from going to court. I advised him to let them bring him to court but he was too worried.

Since we don't know the facts of the case nobody can say whether or not there was a reason for him to be arrested. Asking a "cop" to intercede on your behalf in a matter which is of no concern to them is questionable at best and could draw disciplinary action of the garda in question. Your advice was sound.