Garda Siochana in Shell to see session shocker.

Lando Griffin · 12-08-2013 11:22AM #1

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-deny-gas-firm-gave-them-alcohol-worth-35k-29491139.htm

GARDAI have rejected claims that officers policing the Corrib Gas protests were given alcohol worth €35,000 by the company building the pipeline.

An oil services company has claimed it delivered the alcohol in an unmarked van to Belmullet garda station in Mayo at Christmas 2007 following instructions by Shell E&P Ltd.

And OSSL, based in Bangor Erris, also claims it was charged with providing "accommodation services" to local residents, including home improvements, tennis courts, donating kitchen appliances and paying school fees.

The company, which worked with Shell since 2002, had its contract terminated in 2010, and claims it is owed money by Shell E&P Ltd.

Owner Desmond Kane told a British newspaper that Shell had "failed to reimburse" the alcohol bill, but has since settled with the company.

Neither Mr Kane nor Shell could not be reached for comment yesterday.

But Mr Kane told the 'Observer' newspaper that in Christmas 2007, his company delivered alcohol worth €35,000 to Belmullet garda station, where the policing operation was based.

The alcohol was purchased in Northern Ireland, and delivered in an unmarked van.

Fair play to them for giving a bit of a party.
In a statement, the Garda Press Office rejected the claim, saying it had investigated the allegation but no evidence was found to

slavetothegrind · 12-08-2013 11:26AM

if it's in the independent i'm sure its true......and thoroughly investigated

kneemos · 12-08-2013 11:26AM

You're talking about a large truck load of booze there op.

Frank Black · 12-08-2013 11:29AM

Even if this is true - I'm not sure what the issue is.
It sounds more like it was given in recognition of the difficult job the Gardai were doing in terms of policing the protest.

Czarcasm · 12-08-2013 11:30AM

Lando Griffin wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-deny-gas-firm-gave-them-alcohol-worth-35k-29491139.htm

Fair play to them for giving a bit of a party.
In a statement, the Garda Press Office rejected the claim, saying it had investigated the allegation but no evidence was found to

Sure they drank it all! What evidence did they expect to find? Still a lot of money to shell out on a drink, unless they were drinking like fish, in which case I'm fairly certain they were glad to see their sea beds that night!

OT: thread titles a tongue twister three times fast!

MugMugs · 12-08-2013 11:31AM

Isn't this the norm?

Gardai take delivery of booze more or less every year from local companies, don't they?

Lando Griffin · 12-08-2013 11:32AM

kneemos wrote: »

You're talking about a large truck load of booze there op.

In an unmarked van; how clever not to hav ALCOHOL printed on the side.

danniemcq · 12-08-2013 11:34AM

Frank Black wrote: »

Even if this is true - I'm not sure what the issue is.
It sounds more like it was given in recognition of the difficult job the Gardai were doing in terms of policing the protest.

I think the issue could be with if they were given as gifts. I'm open to correction but I think this is not allowed to make sure they don't pick sides

Nitochris · 12-08-2013 11:34AM

Frank Black wrote: »

Even if this is true - I'm not sure what the issue is.
It sounds more like it was given in recognition of the difficult job the Gardai were doing in terms of policing the protest.

The issue is that it creates an opening for the perception that Shell acting through their agents are influencing the Gardai.

Allyall · 12-08-2013 11:37AM

Frank Black wrote: »

Even if this is true - I'm not sure what the issue is.
It sounds more like it was given in recognition of the difficult job the Gardai were doing in terms of policing the protest.

It sounds more like it was given to the Gardaí to make sure that they do the difficult job. I don't think the Gardaí are allowed to take payments/donations off anyone..

Not that it matters a toss. Fair play to the Garda, hope they squeezed as much as they could out of them, and the residents probably did too, it seems every other cnut in the Country is doing it..

Jester252 · 12-08-2013 11:38AM

So a company, with a not so good past with Shell, claims Shell gave alcohol to the gardas. Smell a bit like they just what to stir up sh1t for Shell.
I guess the protesters will love this.

Geomy · 12-08-2013 11:39AM

Nitochris wrote: »

The issue is that it creates an opening for the perception that Shell acting through their agents are influencing the Gardai.

Kinda like how the native Indian's were influenced by the white man lol

Look at it from Shells point of view. ..im a leftie but surely you can't begrudge the guards a few drinks. ...

It's no big deal. ..

Frank Black · 12-08-2013 11:40AM

Nitochris wrote: »

The issue is that it creates an opening for the perception that Shell acting through their agents are influencing the Gardai.

Perhaps - but a van full of alcohol is not how I would imagine a company like Shell would go about influencing the Gardai.

Chinaman666 · 12-08-2013 11:40AM

That's a quare skinfull. 35 large worth ****ing hell..

eireannBEAR · 12-08-2013 11:41AM

MugMugs wrote: »

Isn't this the norm?

Gardai take delivery of booze more or less every year from local companies, don't they?

100% correct,i used to work in a kildare hotel and we often dropped the gardai over crates of free booze.

Coillte_Bhoy · 12-08-2013 11:47AM

They havent actually denied it, they said they found no evidence. Subtle difference

Frank Black · 12-08-2013 11:49AM

Is it possible to fit €35K of booze in a van?
I'm not sure what the main drink of choice for Gardai are, but I'm going to speculate that the top brass drink malt whisky and the ordinary members drink alcopops and cans of Harp.

MajorMax · 12-08-2013 11:51AM

So I'm assuming that OSSL will quickly be settling up their import and duty bill foe all this booze with the exchequer?

El Inho · 12-08-2013 11:52AM

Back in the day this was normal. Complaining about it makes us look American. So wisht

kneemos · 12-08-2013 11:52AM

eireannBEAR wrote: »

100% correct,i used to work in a kildare hotel and we often dropped the gardai over crates of free booze.

Why?would they not respond to a call if they didn't get the booze?

Potential-Monke · 12-08-2013 11:52AM

Frank Black wrote: »

cans of Harp.

Ah heyor! No one in their right mind would drink Harp!!

kneemos wrote: »

Why?would they not respond to a call if they didn't get the booze?

It's a thank you. It happens in every job, the higher ups get gifts at Xmas as a thank you.

Allyall · 12-08-2013 11:54AM

Frank Black wrote: »

Is it possible to fit €35K of booze in a van?
I'm not sure what the main drink of choice for Gardai are, but I'm going to speculate that the top brass drink malt whisky and the ordinary members drink alcopops and cans of Harp.

They all drink Midleton 1973 Whiskey (10 bottles fit in the van), and free cans of Fosters/Harp/Dutch Gold/Cider that they take from underage drinkers every now and then.

Frank Black · 12-08-2013 11:57AM

Could the issue be more to do with the fact that Shell have (allegedly)imported the alcohol from NI - surely VAT would need to be paid on this?

JoeyJJ · 12-08-2013 12:00PM

Jaysus you would think they would buy the booze in O'D's, EuroSpar, Cuffes etc, wonder are you allowed carry that much booze over the border.

eireannBEAR · 12-08-2013 12:01PM

kneemos wrote: »

Why?would they not respond to a call if they didn't get the booze?

I dont know,but it was common practice in 99,when i was dropping over the cigarettes and crates of booze they would leave them in a backroom already full of beer. yup the kildare town gardai used to have a very merry xmas indeed!

Uriel. · 12-08-2013 12:05PM

kneemos wrote: »

Why?would they not respond to a call if they didn't get the booze?

Nah, sure when I was purchasing manager in my company, I used to get loads of free stuff every year. I had to buy relatively little booze for Christmas. I'd get wine, whiskey, beer, food hampers etc... from suppliers and service providers I did custom with - it was a thank you for the custom and the service provision in the year gone by.

I moved over to sales manager afterwards and the shoe was on the opposite foot, I'd be given a budget to get gifts for customers to thank for their custom.

But, in fairness some customers provided gifts for me also as recognition and thanks for providing particular products and/or services. All of it a show of appreciation. But also, if a customer gave me a €200 hamper and a different customer gave nothing, I know who I would go the extra mile for or who would take priority. It's a degree of marketing.

Pretty Polly · 12-08-2013 12:09PM

Unfortunately I am no longer shocked by anything that happened during the boom years. I'm sure a lot more of this kind of thing happened but it isn't public knowledge.

Nemeses · 12-08-2013 12:14PM

Why bring up an event back in 2007? Silly Newpapers... got nothing to report today..

Can we not worry on the issues that are currently affecting us now?

kneemos · 12-08-2013 12:17PM

Nemeses wrote: »

Why bring up an event back in 2007? Silly Newpapers... got nothing to report today..

Can we not worry on the issues that are currently affecting us now?

The media in general really struggles during the Dail holidays.

TheLastMohican · 12-08-2013 12:23PM

It now seems that it was delivered while the whole West Mayo brigade of the Gardaí were at an AA meeting in Seamus Henry's pub in Bangor. And as it was at night nobody saw anything Sir.
NEXT!

Zebra3 · 12-08-2013 12:55PM

Nemeses wrote: »

Why bring up an event back in 2007? Silly Newpapers... got nothing to report today..

Can we not worry on the issues that are currently affecting us now?

If it happened, it's corruption.

Garda Siochana in Shell to see session shocker.

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