What the hell is going on here?

Dawn Rider

Garda car breaks down on way to murder scene.
http://www.herald.ie/news/garda-car-breaks-down-on-way-to-murder-scene-29240412.html

This isn't one of those 'I pay enough in taxes to expect the best' rants, but seriously, how has the fleet been allowed to fall to such a level of standard that the cars can't be relied upon to bring members to an emergency?

Serving members have told me that they were driving bangers but, I didn't think it was this bad.

About 20 years ago a friend told me the (Dublin) cars were checked every few weeks because of the abuse ie. the constant driving, they took.

goldie fish

A 2004 vehicle should have been replaced long ago. 6 years is the OPW's guidelines for replacement.
Presuming it was a mondeo, when clutches go on some versions the repair can cost up to €1600 for parts alone. At this stage it becomes hard to justify repair, and the car will be grounded. Given that replacements are no longer a done deal, it is possible that the users decided to plough on with a car needing a new clutch rather than requesting repair only for the request to be denied and the car removed from service with no replacement.

WilcoOut

what an out and out disgrace

minister insists on the closure of stations because cars can patrol longer distances

now those cars cant even get to scenes of crimes

bravestar

I don't see what all the shock is about. Maybe people will start to listen now, probably not.

Dawn Rider

Dawn Rider wrote: »

This isn't one of those 'I pay enough in taxes to expect the best' rants, but seriously, how has the fleet been allowed to fall to such a level of standard that the cars can't be relied upon to bring members to an emergency?

Ask Alan Shatter or Commissioner Martin Callinan.

msg11

"This is typical of what is going on – there are too many absolute bangers in operation."

The people in power will only listen up when someone is killed by or in one of these patrol cars. Don't be fooled these cars are a serious liability on the road.

sparrowcar

The absolute hack of someone of the unmarked cars out there is disgracefull.

You see the way the UK police force and other European countries are kitted out and it's just embarrassing for the Gardai.

Give them the tools to do the job at least.

lighterman

sparrowcar wrote: »

The absolute hack of someone of the unmarked cars out there is disgracefull.

You see the way the UK police force and other European countries are kitted out and it's just embarrassing for the Gardai.

Give them the tools to do the job at least.

The difference between here and uk is in the uk there is separate police forces so separate income/budgets etc.Here it is a national force so 1 budget running the whole country

lighterman

lighterman wrote: »

The difference between here and uk is in the uk there is separate police forces so separate income/budgets etc.Here it is a national force so 1 budget running the whole country

No. Just people who would rather get more for their money than quality.

Heathen

No fear of any ministers cars breaking down anyway :-/

Shocking the way funding is squandered on crap in some sections of budgets and then the purse strings are tightened when it comes to important emergency services!!

POGAN

It's ford focus that's has being given problems before which happens when family cars used for police work!! The cars back on the road again after being repaired

Solair

Why aren't they using police spec'd cars anyway?

Always looks like they're just regular cars with a logo applied.

SB2013

Solair wrote: »

Why aren't they using police spec'd cars anyway?

Always looks like they're just regular cars with a logo applied.

They are. The spec'd ones looked too flashy. It would look bad you know.

bravestar

Solair wrote: »

Always looks like they're just regular cars with a logo applied.

Don't forget blue lights and go faster stripes!

POGAN

Solair wrote: »

Why aren't they using police spec'd cars anyway?

Always looks like they're just regular cars with a logo applied.

thats all a garda is standard family car!! only police spec cars are the xc70 the RSU has

Solair

Solair wrote: »

Why aren't they using police spec'd cars anyway?

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Potential-Monke

foreign wrote: »

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Although that's thrown out the window if the rumors are to be believed...

Potential-Monke

Potential-Monke wrote: »

Although that's thrown out the window if the rumors are to be believed...

What rumors are they?

Gosub

If speeding fines were diverted to the Garda vehicle budget, I'm sure they'd all be driving top spec BMW amd Merc's.

bravestar

Gosub wrote: »

If speeding fines were diverted to the Garda vehicle budget, I'm sure they'd all be driving top spec BMW amd Merc's.

Aww not like getting caught breaking road traffic laws?

To be honest I don't think money was ever the issue. Even in the boom family spec cars were used.

Gosub

bravestar wrote: »

Aww not like getting caught breaking road traffic laws?

To be honest I don't think money was ever the issue. Even in the boom family spec cars were used.

Was caught once 40 years ago. I was doing 31MPH in a 30 zone on my Yamaha Twin. I went to court and was fined 3 punts. Not sure that would buy many Garda cars.

Don't assume stuff.

bravestar

Gosub wrote: »

Was caught once 40 years ago. I was doing 31MPH in a 30 zone on my Yamaha Twin. I went to court and was fined 3 punts. Not sure that would buy many Garda cars.

Don't assume stuff.

You were convicted and fined for being 1 MPH over the limit? Uh huh...anyway ill assume what I want, especially when I'm right.

the_syco

http://www.herald.ie/news/garda-car-breaks-down-on-way-to-murder-scene-29240412.html

At this week's Garda Representative Association conference in Co Mayo, the association's vice-president, Dermot O'Brien, said the size of the garda fleet had fallen from 2,814 vehicles in December 2009 to 2,444 in March 2013, and there had been a 30pc decrease in the number of marked patrol cars over the past three years.

Almost makes the breakdown downsizing seem like a "drive it like you stole it" policy?

Gosub

bravestar wrote: »

You were convicted and fined for being 1 MPH over the limit? Uh huh...anyway ill assume what I want, especially when I think I'm right.

FYP

lighterman

bravestar wrote: »

You were convicted and fined for being 1 MPH over the limit? Uh huh...anyway ill assume what I want, especially when I'm right.

This post is a clown

bravestar

lighterman wrote: »

This post is a clown

Yes, the post is a clown, that makes sense. Ya really got me there.

lighterman

bravestar wrote: »

Yes, the post is a clown, that makes sense. Ya really got me there.

Let me spell it out for you. I cant attack the poster so i did it in a roundabout ways and attacked the post.

bravestar

lighterman wrote: »

Let me spell it out for you. I cant attack the poster so i did it in a roundabout ways and attacked the post.

Really? Wow, thanks for explaining it to me, I really appreciate it