The Garda Press Office and their Smoke Machine...

Cee-Jay-Cee · 29-04-2017 05:57PM

The garda press office is piss poor at the best of times. Along with appointing a commissioner from outside AGS they also need to employ an external PR agency to handle news releases and to comment on current issues. They need to take a lead out of the uk police book and start giving more information on crimes and cases they are investigating rather than the usual stupid 'AGS do not comment on individual cases' They also need to start defending themselves against negative press, there are two sides to every story yet AGS have NEVER defend themselves in cases where they've been ridiculed or insulted or otherwise. Staying silent makes people believe they are guilty.

During the water protests, lies and propaganda were reigned down by various groups and not once did AGS come out to defend their members. They simply said nothing and let the water protestors say what they wanted.

They need to move into the 21st century and like alread said, getting rid of Noirin has to be first step of that process. She is nothing but a mouthpiece who spews out silly buzz words and claims yet hasn't actually done anything since she took office.

Discodog · 29-04-2017 06:02PM

Victor wrote: »

I have reason to occasionally contact the press office. Like any contact with the Garda, responses vary. **If** you get a response and it is from a sergeant it is usually polite and reassuring, otherwise ...

Garda press releases: http://garda.ie/PressReleases/Default.aspx - most of the press release material is missing persons, road traffic collisions, requests for witnesses. Additional material is carried on the front page of the website. There seems to be a media list that gets additional material - especially serious crime material. Journalists will no doubt follow up with their own questions.

Yes, but sometimes there is a failure to distinguish between the force and its individual members, so if the Commissioner wants to put out a personal view, that is facilitated, e.g. http://garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=19879

Because the Garda is under greater scrutiny and the media smell blood.

What happened in Longford?

Can you share details for those that aren't in the locality?

http://www.thejournal.ie/garda-regional-headquarters-galway-building-2393321-Oct2015/

Discodog · 29-04-2017 06:08PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Seriously?

If you have a question, email them......don't like the answer? FoI or DPA them or the Policing Authority......have a concern? GSOC or the Garda Inspectorate......still worried......ask your TD to put down a question to the MoJ.......have information, make a protected disclosure.....

If you are in the dark being fed horse sh1t, it's because you want to be there or you're too lazy to climb out.....

.....honestly, the laziness of the average Irish citizen is bewildering, we've never had more and easier ways to find out about what the organs of the state are up to and people are just too lazy to go find out.

Or people believe that GSOC & the Garda Inspectorate are ineffectual so they don't bother. Maybe when they see corrupt officers getting long jail terms,no more hounding of whistle blowers, faking of figures, etc etc this might change.

The Guards are where the UK Police were 30 years ago. The UK sorted it out & every copper fears a complaint. Line of Duty may be fiction but it very real. We show no sign of wanting to fix our problem. The Guards are still like some pseudo military force.

goose2005 · 29-04-2017 06:13PM

gifted wrote: »

Kinda getting tired of every type of press releases...if it isn't the garda it's the GRA...If it's not them it's the teachers unions...if it's not them it's the nurses union..if it's not them it's the bus drivers unions...honestly, every second day some type of union is issuing a press release

Anyway...that's my press release for today lol lol

Reprinting press releases is much easier than writing actual news

please helpThank YOU · 29-04-2017 06:16PM

Garda press office have a must have a little alcove in north Korea send us garda patrol.

Victor · 29-04-2017 07:08PM

Jawgap wrote: »

If you have a question, email them......don't like the answer? FoI or DPA them or the Policing Authority

FoI or DPA have only limited application with the Garda.

diomed · 29-04-2017 07:28PM

In fairness they are good about making non-statements about non-investigations they might be about to start sometime.

Are Am Eye · 29-04-2017 07:48PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Seriously?

If you have a question, email them......don't like the answer? FoI or DPA them or the Policing Authority......have a concern? GSOC or the Garda Inspectorate......still worried......ask your TD to put down a question to the MoJ.......have information, make a protected disclosure.....

If you are in the dark being fed horse sh1t, it's because you want to be there or you're too lazy to climb out.....

.....honestly, the laziness of the average Irish citizen is bewildering, we've never had more and easier ways to find out about what the organs of the state are up to and people are just too lazy to go find out.

The inspectorate were hand picked. They do nothing. What has been their activity in the last six months during which there has been a new fiasco with ags every single week. Nothing.

GSOC are powerless. They were cleverly set up and made to be powerless. On the surface Morris' recommendations for an independent oversight body had been met. But in reality nothing had changed. AGS itself still investigates 90% of complaints made against it. GSOC is just a forwarding post. Make a complaint to them - it will be side passed to a superintendent or inspector in the division in which the complained of activity took place.

More importantly in the small number of cases in which gsoc actually investigate they are completely obstructed by ags who basically refuse to correspond with them or release any information, documents or evidence for their perusal. No disclosure.
And why would ags give disclosure to gsoc. They are not legally obliged to. They can and do ignore them. There can be no consequences. In this area as in all others they cannot be held to account.

Basically these oversight bodies of which you speak are either powerless or a rubber stamp. There is no oversight. The worry is that the two main political parties appear to be happy with this situation and there is no prospect of change.

jetsonx · 30-04-2017 03:52PM

Can anyone predict some Gardai Press Office releases for next week?

They must make for eye-catching headlines and more importantly they must keep Noirin and her cover-ups out of the news.

Some ideas include:

Gardai Prepare for Nuclear Threat - could mention North Korea and Trump - at least a week of good distracting headlines.

French Elections - The Gardai plan for riots at French embassy if Le Pen wins.

Madeleine McCann - Gardai issue advice how you can prevent your child being kidnapped this summer.

Jawgap · 30-04-2017 04:35PM

jetsonx wrote: »

Can anyone predict some Gardai Press Office releases for next week?

They must make for eye-catching headlines and more importantly they must keep Noirin and her cover-ups out of the news.

Some ideas include:

Gardai Prepare for Nuclear Threat - could mention North Korea and Trump - at least a week of good distracting headlines.

French Elections - The Gardai plan for riots at French embassy if Le Pen wins.

Madeleine McCann - Gardai issue advice how you can prevent your child being kidnapped this summer.

You find child abduction funny?

Stay classy........

Jawgap · 30-04-2017 04:40PM

Are Am Eye wrote: »

The inspectorate were hand picked. They do nothing. What has been their activity in the last six months during which there has been a new fiasco with ags every single week. Nothing.

GSOC are powerless. They were cleverly set up and made to be powerless. On the surface Morris' recommendations for an independent oversight body had been met. But in reality nothing had changed. AGS itself still investigates 90% of complaints made against it. GSOC is just a forwarding post. Make a complaint to them - it will be side passed to a superintendent or inspector in the division in which the complained of activity took place.

More importantly in the small number of cases in which gsoc actually investigate they are completely obstructed by ags who basically refuse to correspond with them or release any information, documents or evidence for their perusal. No disclosure.
And why would ags give disclosure to gsoc. They are not legally obliged to. They can and do ignore them. There can be no consequences. In this area as in all others they cannot be held to account.

Basically these oversight bodies of which you speak are either powerless or a rubber stamp. There is no oversight. The worry is that the two main political parties appear to be happy with this situation and there is no prospect of change.

couple of vacancies just advertised, if you're up for the job, apply.

.......and out of interest, who puts the political parties in power? If people are so dissatisfied how come they don't vote in politicians and empower them to reform the system? Or put it another way, why are there more votes in keeping useless Garda stations open than there are in bringing policing in ireland into the 21st Century?

Maybe it's because for all their faults, we recognise that our citizens in uniform, that we've empowered, do a pretty good job most of the time?

jetsonx · 30-04-2017 06:40PM

Jawgap wrote: »

that we've empowered, do a pretty good job most of the time?

Well that's the exact problem.

Most the Irish public now perceive the Gardai as more of a revenue collecting body rather than a crime prevention or crime fighting force.

Jawgap · 30-04-2017 07:10PM

jetsonx wrote: »

Well that's the exact problem.

Most the Irish public now perceive the Gardai as more of a revenue collecting body rather than a crime prevention or crime fighting force.

.....and the evidence for that can be found where?

.....and yes they have a crime and security role, but also a sociological one.....and I'd imagine most of the daily interactions Guards have with citizens are positive......show me a public facing organisation of 10,000+ people that gets it right 100% of the time?

Are Am Eye · 30-04-2017 08:12PM

Jawgap wrote: »

couple of vacancies just advertised, if you're up for the job, apply.

.......and out of interest, who puts the political parties in power? If people are so dissatisfied how come they don't vote in politicians and empower them to reform the system? Or put it another way, why are there more votes in keeping useless Garda stations open than there are in bringing policing in ireland into the 21st Century?

Maybe it's because for all their faults, we recognise that our citizens in uniform, that we've empowered, do a pretty good job most of the time?

The people put the political parties in power. Obviously. What's your point?

I already remarked at how tragically there is no prospect of any imminent change. That is because FF and FG - the parties of government - have no interest in reforming the gardai. The people seem quiet happy with FF and FG - at least they continue to garner enough votes to be the parties that make up govt. So no prospect of change really.

jetsonx · 30-04-2017 08:12PM

41% dissatisfied with the services of the Gardai. That's a pretty high number. Certainly, a number which would be
untenable in the private sector.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0616/796018-garda-siochana-attitudes-survey/

Jawgap · 30-04-2017 09:30PM

jetsonx wrote: »

41% dissatisfied with the services of the Gardai. That's a pretty high number. Certainly, a number which would be
untenable in the private sector.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0616/796018-garda-siochana-attitudes-survey/

Ok, a sizeable minority of people dissatisfied with AGS doesn't really equate to.......

Most the Irish public now perceive the Gardai as more of a revenue collecting body rather than a crime prevention or crime fighting force

.....which is what I asked you about.

I'm dissatisfied with AGS because of their approach to road policing......it doesn't mean I "perceive the Gardai as more of a revenue collecting body rather than a crime prevention or crime fighting force."

Jawgap · 30-04-2017 09:34PM

Are Am Eye wrote: »

The people put the political parties in power. Obviously. What's your point?

I already remarked at how tragically there is no prospect of any imminent change. That is because FF and FG - the parties of government - have no interest in reforming the gardai. The people seem quiet happy with FF and FG - at least they continue to garner enough votes to be the parties that make up govt. So no prospect of change really.

Point is if people want reform, they'll vote in reformers......if they want the status quo, they'll vote the same mob back in again.....which to me suggests, that by and large people are not dissatisfied with AGS, or not dissatisfied enough to vote for anyone pushing a change agenda.

Are Am Eye · 30-04-2017 10:14PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Point is if people want reform, they'll vote in reformers......if they want the status quo, they'll vote the same mob back in again.....which to me suggests, that by and large people are not dissatisfied with AGS, or not dissatisfied enough to vote for anyone pushing a change agenda.

Yes people are content with their lot. Such as you seem to be. What you label a 'change agenda' is actually just those albeit a minority who have higher standards than you in life.

Jawgap · 01-05-2017 06:03AM

Are Am Eye wrote: »

Yes people are content with their lot. Such as you seem to be. What you label a 'change agenda' is actually just those albeit a minority who have higher standards than you in life.

Well you don't seem to know much about me or my politics......I'll happily vote for a "reform" candidate if a credible one is presented.

I think if you have a bit of an ol' look at some of my ramblings in politics you'll see I've held forth on both the need and my own ideas for change in various areas including the HSE, AGS, public administration, natural resource management, social and economic regulation and defence & security.

If you submit an FOI to the right agency you'll even get one or two reports I was involved in writing when I worked in the public service identifying changes in my own little teeny tiny piece of what was then my area of professional interest.

Sin1981 · 05-05-2017 09:23PM

hi,
Just wondering, why is it that FG and FF don't want to reform the Gardai? Why is it better for them that the whole corrupt Gardai regime trundles on? I don't get why either party are afraid to tackle the issue.

if someone would kindly explain why this is i'd be grateful.

thanks,

Beyondgone · 05-05-2017 09:26PM

Sin1981 wrote: »

hi,
Just wondering, why is it that FG and FF don't want to reform the Gardai? Why is it better for them that the whole corrupt Gardai regime trundles on? I don't get why either party are afraid to tackle the issue.

if someone would kindly explain why this is i'd be grateful.

thanks,

Cupboard, meet skeleton.

Anyway, Fyne Flail came off the fence and said they don't hugely support Noreen, today, after her "it was only resting in that account" episode re the Templemore Thousands.

Sin1981 · 05-05-2017 09:29PM

but aren't these skeletons all Gardai issues. i.e. the look out of individual guards... Or do you mean, skeletons relating to several politicians/former Justice minister and their less than competent oversight/management of Guards
over many years??

Beyondgone · 05-05-2017 09:39PM

Sin1981 wrote: »

but aren't these skeletons all Gardai issues. i.e. the look out of individual guards... Or do you mean, skeletons relating to several politicians/former Justice minister and their less than competent oversight/management of Guards
over many years??

J Edgar Hoover was a role model..

SEPT 23 1989 · 05-05-2017 09:46PM

Sin1981 wrote: »

hi,
Just wondering, why is it that FG and FF don't want to reform the Gardai? Why is it better for them that the whole corrupt Gardai regime trundles on? I don't get why either party are afraid to tackle the issue.

if someone would kin

dly explain why this is i'd be grateful.

thanks,

Rooms of files with all their little secrets

Nothing can change unless outsiders are brought in

flutered · 05-05-2017 09:46PM

how come on the first day of a two day barrage in an area via operation thor, the news media are giving us details of what has been achived that morning, thus letting folk know there is something going down in a particular area for the next 36 hours, allowing folk to keep their heads down

Water John · 05-05-2017 09:47PM

Hard to see why over 20 years, this nettle hasn't been grasped.

I think, the permanent Govn't keep frightening the Minister of the day, to not rock the boat. That defending the Gardai is critical to the interest of the State.

Beyondgone · 05-05-2017 09:47PM

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Rooms of files with all their little secrets

Nothing can change unless outsiders are brought in

"Ye might have an idea what we're doing, but We Know what you did..back in yer box"

Sin1981 · 05-05-2017 09:51PM

it's a flipping joke.
I sometimes think it's time people took to the streets, once and for all.

Beyondgone · 05-05-2017 09:56PM

Sin1981 wrote: »

it's a flipping joke.
I sometimes think it's time people took to the streets, once and for all.

Irish people don't do "taking to the streets". It's looked on as being vaguely "Hippyish" and "sure it would only bring trouble to you".. which is pretty much bang on..

Also, if they spent millions, reformed the arse out of the Gards, we'd end up with worse and more hassles. I reckon they ought to be asked to go back to how they were in the 1980's and everyone agree that only the "Ah here now you've gone too far" crimes get looked at..

Beyondgone · 05-05-2017 10:00PM

Policing is like Health and Safety, Religion and alcohol. Alright in moderation, but you wouldn't want to get too caught up in them.

The Garda Press Office and their Smoke Machine...

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