Army and Special Branch

Jacques Mesrine

I'm just wondering whether the army and special branch work together? I saw a peculiar sight this morning. A guy in full dpms was travelling in what appeared to be an unmarked Garda car. It was a black Ford Mondeo and It was travelling behind an army minibus. Are the army now used as extra eyes and ears on the ground in combating certain forms of crime?

Hedgemeister

The Military Police Special Investigation Branch (S.I.B.) use unmarked 'civilian' type cars, but not normally in uniform as that would defeat the purpose.
Maybe that's what you saw?
The S.I.B. work closely with the Garda Det Branch.

goldie fish

Maybe it was just a staff car?

Jacques Mesrine

Hedgemeister wrote: »

The Military Police Special Investigation Branch (S.I.B.) use unmarked 'civilian' type cars, but not normally in uniform as that would defeat the purpose.
Maybe that's what you saw?
The S.I.B. work closely with the Garda Det Branch.

Maybe it was. The SIB hardly have any power over civilians or do they?

c-90

Staff car definitely.

Hedgemeister

Jacques Mesrine wrote: »

Maybe it was. The SIB hardly have any power over civilians or do they?

Not unless they are interfering with or trespassing upon Mil property or using Common Law arrest.
Their function is to investigate serious crime within the Defence Forces and extensively trained by the Gardai to do so.
I was a member of the SIB for eight years back in the 70s / 80s. Back then we used Ford Escorts MK 1.
I assume they have more upmarket vehicles nowadays...or with all the cutbacks gone back to high nelly bicycles for all I know!

John Mongo

Staff Car, without a doubt.

goldie fish

John Mongo wrote: »

Staff Car, without a doubt.

People hear horse hoofs, and immediately think zebras.

Jacques Mesrine

Hedgemeister wrote: »

Not unless they are interfering with or trespassing upon Mil property or using Common Law arrest.
Their function is to investigate serious crime within the Defence Forces and extensively trained by the Gardai to do so.
I was a member of the SIB for eight years back in the 70s / 80s. Back then we used Ford Escorts MK 1.
I assume they have more upmarket vehicles nowadays...or with all the cutbacks gone back to high nelly bicycles for all I know!

Are G2 part of the same department as the MPs/SIB?

Jacques Mesrine

Hedgemeister wrote: »

Not unless they are interfering with or trespassing upon Mil property or using Common Law arrest.
Their function is to investigate serious crime within the Defence Forces and extensively trained by the Gardai to do so.
I was a member of the SIB for eight years back in the 70s / 80s. Back then we used Ford Escorts MK 1.
I assume they have more upmarket vehicles nowadays...or with all the cutbacks gone back to high nelly bicycles for all I know!

What kind of operations have you served on? I can imagine that it is a pretty exciting role considering Ireland is becoming more involved with Europe?

Hedgemeister

G2 and the SIB are not the same thing.
Anyway, it was a long time ago and 'tales' are best left in the past.

c-90

Cue pizza delivery van with rediculously large satellite.

asdfg!

A staff car obviously, nothing sinister at all. Which raises the question. Why black? Is it a traditional colour or simply for a low profile? Previously the 'saloons' were green.

Manic Moran

Resale value for black is probably higher.

Hedgemeister

Saloons are leased nowadays so they (probably) must hand them back in the original colour.

Irish_Army01

Staff Car.

Jacques Mesrine

Maybe it was super secret G 2