What are your personal experiences with the Gardai

The Gardaí in my area are very sound and very sensible IMO.

Where public order is concerned, they allow a lot of things which are technically illegal or against council byelaws (people drinking outdoors and playing music etc on sunny days, bonfires at halloween, etc) as long as there's a friendly atmosphere and they'll never hassle anyone who isn't actually causing trouble, but they always have their vans out cruising around busy spots and at the first hint that the atmosphere has turned in any way aggro or dangerous, they'll descend on the crowd faster than a bottle of tequila at a Christening, and have the people involved straight into the van to cool off or even to be arrested if they don't chill out.

Where reports of crime are concerned, in my experience their response times are incredible, but then again we live about a five minute walk away from our local Garda station so I might not be reflecting everyone's experience. I can say though that when crimes are reported, they do go out and actively investigate them, contrary to stereotypes or possibly how they are in other parts of the country. A relative of mine was groped by some absolute creep of a scumbag while out walking a couple of years ago, they called straight around to the house to take a description and went out looking for the guy.

Nothing negative to report and I don't think my local Garda station has ever featured in any bad press for the force. They do also seem to do the whole "walking the beat" thing which a lot of people lament the decline of in modern police forces - whenever there's a scrap or anything they're usually on it within minutes because they're cruising around in a car or just wandering around the town. It'd be a very ordinary thing to see uniformed Gardaí out and about when you're out for a stroll or going to the shops or whatever.

Discodog wrote: »

They are very unlikely to be pulled at a checkpoint unless they are unlucky and provided their discs are up to date, they won't be stopped. Any sensible gang will have a "clean" spotter car running ahead. Plus they know the back lanes where you never see a Garda.

Checkpoints need results so they are set up where there is the best chance of catching ordinary motorists.

When you say they're unlikely to be pulled at a checkpoint, is that your experience or just your belief?

My experience would say different. There's more to checkpoints than just looking at the discs. Of course the general public just see it as checking tax and insurance, however it's also a chance to stop cars and have a look at the occupants.
A lot of chases, especially on nights, start this way. If Gardai just relied on ANPR then as you say, if the discs are up to date them they wouldn't be pulled over. Sorts of proves the point of checkpoints.

Mandatory intoxicant testing checkpoints are also a good way of detecting intoxicated drivers. And these checkpoints are probably the most efficient way of screening a large number of drivers.

Checkpoints aren't set up to "catch" ordinary motorists. What's to catch if you just have the few things that are needed, in order?
They're set up where it's safe to stop cars for both the Gardai and pubic. Of course it's easier to just give out about checkpoints and the usual revenue raising argument that generally follows it. Most Gardai will apply a good amount of discretion and only ticket those who need it. The Gardai don't get any bonus for issuing tickets.

In my experience most decent people are happy to be stopped at a checkpoint in their area and happy to see the Gardai out and about.

CrankyHaus wrote: »

For most purposes checkpoints are inefficient and outmoded. Widespread ANPR, linked to up to date information banks, has been well within the abilities of technology for a long time now.
Of course this reliance on them is not the fault of ranking Gardai, but it's hard to think of a better symbol for the obsolescence of the organisation than its ubiquitous checkpoints.

What about the lads who rob cars, go on Carzone, get a reg of the same colour make and model and get two reg plates made up? Car won't show up as stolen then. Probably won't get pulled over either. However a checkpoint might detect it if the occupants are known to gardai.

Discodog wrote: »

How long have you been a Garda ?:D

Too long..

RobbieMD wrote: »

When you say they're unlikely to be pulled at a checkpoint, is that your experience or just your belief?

My experience would say different. There's more to checkpoints than just looking at the discs. Of course the general public just see it as checking tax and insurance, however it's also a chance to stop cars and have a look at the occupants.
A lot of chases, especially on nights, start this way. If Gardai just relied on ANPR then as you say, if the discs are up to date them they wouldn't be pulled over. Sorts of proves the point of checkpoints.

Mandatory intoxicant testing checkpoints are also a good way of detecting intoxicated drivers. And these checkpoints are probably the most efficient way of screening a large number of drivers.

Checkpoints aren't set up to "catch" ordinary motorists. What's to catch if you just have the few things that are needed, in order?
They're set up where it's safe to stop cars for both the Gardai and pubic. Of course it's easier to just give out about checkpoints and the usual revenue raising argument that generally follows it. Most Gardai will apply a good amount of discretion and only ticket those who need it. The Gardai don't get any bonus for issuing tickets.

In my experience most decent people are happy to be stopped at a checkpoint in their area and happy to see the Gardai out and about.

I was with you up to the point where you said most people are happy to see the Gardaí. :D

Even when I have everything up to date I get in a sweat coming up to a checkpoint.