Drew Harris appointed Garda commissioner.

26-06-2018 12:57pm #1

I don't see how this is going to work. This guy is possibly hostile to Irish culture.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/profile-drew-harris-of-the-psni-30600926.html

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/first-outsider-to-head-up-an-garda-sochna-as-drew-harris-takes-commissioner-role-37051089.html

ohnonotgmail · 26-06-2018 12:59pm

6541 wrote: »

I don't see how this is going to work. This guy is possibly hostile to Irish culture.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/profile-drew-harris-of-the-psni-30600926.html

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/first-outsider-to-head-up-an-garda-sochna-as-drew-harris-takes-commissioner-role-37051089.html

why do you say that?

26-06-2018 1:01pm

6541 wrote: »

I don't see how this is going to work. This guy is possibly hostile to Irish culture.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/profile-drew-harris-of-the-psni-30600926.html

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/first-outsider-to-head-up-an-garda-sochna-as-drew-harris-takes-commissioner-role-37051089.html

Meh, the Gardai were hostile enough to Irish people fleeing persecution for years. If this guy is one of those cop-cops then it'll only be good.

26-06-2018 1:02pm

He is a Presbyterian Ulster Man, who's father was killed by the IRA. Who cut his teeth in the RUC. What can possibly go wrong !

Donald Trump · 26-06-2018 1:02pm

Those Protestants

Up to no good as usual

riffmongous · 26-06-2018 1:02pm

Gardai must think a United Ireland is on the cards in the next while, getting the integration process started early

murpho999 · 26-06-2018 1:03pm

What has his religion go to with this?

It should be about his ability.

Be good for the Gardai to have an outside influence.

ohnonotgmail · 26-06-2018 1:03pm

6541 wrote: »

He is a Presbyterian Ulster Man, who's father was killed by the IRA. Who cut his teeth in the RUC. What can possibly go wrong !

in what way is he hostile to irish culture?

26-06-2018 1:03pm

6541 wrote: »

He is a Presbyterian Ulster Man, who's father was killed by the IRA. Who cut his teeth in the RUC. What can possibly go wrong !

What do you foresee him doing?

_Kaiser_ · 26-06-2018 1:04pm

His dad, an RUC Superintendent, having being killed in an IRA attack would make him a bit of an odd choice to head up AGS alright - but at the same time I wholeheartedly welcome the fact that he's not one of the "old guard". We've seen how well THAT works out!

A complete RUC/PSNI-style reform of AGS is what's needed to restore confidence and integrity to the force at this stage. Maybe he'll be the one to lead it, but it will absolutely depend on support from the Dept and Minister for Justice if he's to achieve antyhing IMO.

The Backwards Man · 26-06-2018 1:04pm

I'd take him over a bigot any day of the week.

seachto7 · 26-06-2018 1:05pm

6541 wrote: »

I don't see how this is going to work. This guy is possibly hostile to Irish culture.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/profile-drew-harris-of-the-psni-30600926.html

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/first-outsider-to-head-up-an-garda-sochna-as-drew-harris-takes-commissioner-role-37051089.html

Well, isn't this another step to convincing those of a unionist/presbyterian persuasion of their place in a potential UI? How is he "hostile"?

Or is this now republican types showing their true colours?

His religion should have nothing to do with this, and I don't know why you highlighted it in your post.

Taytoland · 26-06-2018 1:07pm

For God and Ulster Drew!

_Kaiser_ · 26-06-2018 1:09pm

seachto7 wrote: »

Well, isn't this another step to convincing those of a unionist/presbyterian persuasion of their place in a potential UI? How is he "hostile"?

Or is this now republican types showing their true colours?

His religion should have nothing to do with this, and I don't know why you highlighted it in your post.

Nothing to do with religion, but perhaps there could be a bit of bitterness or resentment (even unconsciously) that could affect his decisions as head of AGS? I'd think that's more what the poster was getting at?

Of course, it may not be an issue at all and I for one would welcome some badly-needed new blood within the senior ranks of AGS. As I said though, ministerial/departmental support will be key. We've already seen what AGS do when threatened from within (close ranks, intimidation, refusal to cooperate etc)

VinLieger · 26-06-2018 1:09pm

6541 wrote: »

I don't see how this is going to work. This guy is possibly hostile to Irish culture.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/profile-drew-harris-of-the-psni-30600926.html

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/first-outsider-to-head-up-an-garda-sochna-as-drew-harris-takes-commissioner-role-37051089.html

Even if he was, how would that in any way affect his ability to do the job?

ohnonotgmail · 26-06-2018 1:11pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Nothing to do with religion, but perhaps there could be a bit of bitterness or resentment (even unconsciously) that could affect his decisions as head of AGS? I'd think that's more what the poster was getting at?

bitterness and resentment against the IRA possibly. I'm sure there are plenty already in the gardai who dont like them either.

Taytoland · 26-06-2018 1:13pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

seachto7 wrote: »

Well, isn't this another step to convincing those of a unionist/presbyterian persuasion of their place in a potential UI? How is he "hostile"?

Or is this now republican types showing their true colours?

His religion should have nothing to do with this, and I don't know why you highlighted it in your post.

Nothing to do with religion, but perhaps there could be a bit of bitterness or resentment (even unconsciously) that could affect his decisions as head of AGS? I'd think that's more what the poster was getting at?

Of course, it may not be an issue at all and I for one would welcome some badly-needed new blood within the senior ranks of AGS. As I said though, ministerial/departmental support will be key. We've already seen what AGS do when threatened from within (close ranks, intimidation, refusal to cooperate etc)

Resentment towards who?

The Backwards Man · 26-06-2018 1:15pm

6541 wrote: »

He is a Presbyterian Ulster Man, who's father was killed by the IRA. Who cut his teeth in the RUC. What can possibly go wrong !

Anyone who despises cowardly murderous IRA bastards can't be all bad.

whiskeyman · 26-06-2018 1:15pm

It'll take more than a new face at the top to sort out the mess in AGS, no matter who it is.

Still, a step in the right direction.

26-06-2018 1:20pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Anyone who despises cowardly murderous IRA bastards can't be all bad.

Anybody that despises people who enabled sectarian state collusion can't be bad either !

The Backwards Man · 26-06-2018 1:22pm

6541 wrote: »

Anybody that despises people who enabled sectarian state collusion can be bad either !

Have you evidence that he did? Or is his religion enough for you?

gandalf · 26-06-2018 1:24pm

Delighted he's not from the usual stable. Hopefully its the sign there is going to be a complete overhaul of AGS from the top down.

I suspect a few senior Gardai will now resign early in a huff though....

minikin · 26-06-2018 1:24pm

6541 wrote: »

This guy is possibly hostile to Irish culture.

Some previous commissioners have been too close to their political masters.
Bit of independence (healthy distance from the prevailing culture) may be no bad thing for the Gardai.

Taytoland · 26-06-2018 1:25pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

6541 wrote: »

Anybody that despises people who enabled sectarian state collusion can be bad either !

Have you evidence that he did? Or is his religion enough for you?

Of course he doesn't. Imagine using his religion in the title to question his merits.

Donald Trump · 26-06-2018 1:30pm

Headline on the Independent link

First 'outsider' to head up An Garda Síochána as Drew Harris takes Commissioner role

There is obviously only one appropriate response to that!

Your Face · 26-06-2018 1:30pm

So he is an anti IRA Gardai Commissioner.

That's fine with me.

SEPT 23 1989 · 26-06-2018 1:38pm

so after a worldwide search of the worlds police forces this is the best they could appoint?

absolute joke

OOnegative · 26-06-2018 1:43pm

https://amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/malaysian-police-chief-faces-corruption-probe-after-afp-action-20180306-p4z32i.html

This lad would have been ideal.

opinionated3 · 26-06-2018 2:09pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Anyone who despises cowardly murderous IRA bastards can't be all bad.

The RUC were utter scum as well, or had you forgotten that.

Odhinn · 26-06-2018 2:12pm

6541 wrote: »

I don't see how this is going to work. This guy is possibly hostile to Irish culture.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/profile-drew-harris-of-the-psni-30600926.html

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/first-outsider-to-head-up-an-garda-sochna-as-drew-harris-takes-commissioner-role-37051089.html

….the PSNI, formerly the RUC, notoriously secretive and a law unto themselves. He'll fit right in.

26-06-2018 2:13pm

riffmongous wrote: »

Gardai must think a United Ireland is on the cards in the next while, getting the integration process started early

My thoughts almost exactly (I'd say the senior civil servants are factoring it in at this stage), and that BBC poll last week is making it clear how things are changing in the North regarding reunification.

42% of people in North want a United Ireland

Fewer NI people feel British than other UK regions

Taytoland · 26-06-2018 2:16pm

Deleted User wrote: »

riffmongous wrote: »

Gardai must think a United Ireland is on the cards in the next while, getting the integration process started early

My thoughts almost exactly (I'd say the senior civil servants are factoring it in at this stage), and that BBC poll last week is making it clear how things are changing in the North regarding reunification.

42% of people in North want a United Ireland

Fewer NI people feel British than other UK regions

It was 21% in another poll who want a United Ireland last month. Maybe he just got appointed because he is highly experienced and great at his job. I do find it funny though how some think it is some grand conspiracy for unification. :cheerful:

26-06-2018 2:22pm

riffmongous wrote: »

Gardai must think a United Ireland is on the cards in the next while, getting the integration process started early

wrong way dear chap.

Best dig out those union flags you've been keeping in store for all those years.

God save our gra.............

Hitman3000 · 26-06-2018 2:30pm

New broom sweeps clean and all that. He has first hand experience of root and branch reform in a Police force. I would give the guy the benefit of the doubt over another insider.

Hitman3000 · 26-06-2018 2:32pm

gandalf wrote:

I suspect a few senior Gardai will now resign early in a huff though....

With luck.

Agent Coulson · 26-06-2018 3:36pm

I feel sorry for the man when he sees how bad our judicial system he will regret taking the job.

ohnonotgmail · 26-06-2018 3:38pm

Agent Coulson wrote: »

I feel sorry for the man when he sees how bad our judicial system he will regret taking the job.

with a salary of €250,000 a year i'm sure he will put up with it.

Agent Coulson · 26-06-2018 3:41pm

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

with a salary of €250,000 a year i'm sure he will put up with it.

He was making €200k in his former job.

Price of housing and cost of living down here he will be worse off.

ohnonotgmail · 26-06-2018 3:48pm

Agent Coulson wrote: »

He was making €200k in his former job.

Price of housing and cost of living down here he will be worse off.

really? his basic salary as a deputy chief constable was in the region of 163,000. they get allowances on top of that so about 180,000 in total. His basic salary will be 250,000 (about £220,000) plus most like some allowances as well. Its a nice little bump. Not forgetting whatever they put into his pension pot as well. Plus he will still be young enough for a Chief Constable position in the uk at the end of his 5 years.

Amirani · 26-06-2018 3:51pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

so after a worldwide search of the worlds police forces this is the best they could appoint?

absolute joke

Pay cap of 250k. Heads of top police forces around the world probably unlikely to uproot their family to come to expensive Ireland to take charge of a police force in a jurisdiction they no nothing about for that amount.

No surprise that the appointee is someone with a knowledge of Irish policing. On what basis do you think they're not suitable for the job?

riffmongous · 26-06-2018 4:02pm

Aegir wrote: »

wrong way dear chap.

Best dig out those union flags you've been keeping in store for all those years.

God save our gra.............

I suppose no wonder the west brits are so protective of the monarchy, when theyve got nothing else to believe in, zero chance of Ireland rejoining UK, not even a chance of joining the commonwealth, United Ireland getting more likely, british army about to get hammered in the courts, Brexit tearing apart the union, dark times

timthumbni · 26-06-2018 5:11pm

riffmongous wrote: »

Aegir wrote: »

wrong way dear chap.

Best dig out those union flags you've been keeping in store for all those years.

God save our gra.............

I suppose no wonder the west brits are so protective of the monarchy, when theyve got nothing else to believe in, zero chance of Ireland rejoining UK, not even a chance of joining the commonwealth, United Ireland getting more likely, british army about to get hammered in the courts, Brexit tearing apart the union, dark times

West brits????

Wtf are you a mod on exactly????? The drunk, crying, tricolour pants wearing republican forum?????.

Taytoland · 26-06-2018 5:16pm

timthumbni wrote: »

riffmongous wrote: »

Aegir wrote: »

wrong way dear chap.

Best dig out those union flags you've been keeping in store for all those years.

God save our gra.............

I suppose no wonder the west brits are so protective of the monarchy, when theyve got nothing else to believe in, zero chance of Ireland rejoining UK, not even a chance of joining the commonwealth, United Ireland getting more likely, british army about to get hammered in the courts, Brexit tearing apart the union, dark times

West brits????

Wtf are you a mod on exactly????? The drunk, crying, tricolour pants wearing republican forum?????.

It's because he's a Prod some don't like it. So much for the equality, tolerance and respect agenda. The guy has more than enough qualifications for the role.

Hector Bellend · 26-06-2018 5:18pm

26-06-2018 5:19pm

timthumbni wrote: »

West brits????

Wtf are you a mod on exactly????? The drunk, crying, tricolour pants wearing republican forum?????.

Or *****, as most people refer to them

Del.Monte · 26-06-2018 5:20pm

opinionated3 wrote: »

The RUC were utter scum as well, or had you forgotten that.

Generalisation much. :rolleyes:

facehugger99 · 26-06-2018 5:22pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

His dad, an RUC Superintendent, having being killed in an IRA attack would make him a bit of an odd choice to head up AGS alright -.

The IRA murdered members of AGS too.

ChikiChiki · 26-06-2018 5:23pm

Great move because lets be honest another internal appointment would have been a disaster. I don't think high ranking Gardai will make it easy for him. Hopefully he's a tough nut who starts reform swiftly against a tide of resistance.

CrankyHaus · 26-06-2018 5:35pm

Unless they separate Garda policing from national security functions this makes no sense.

Harris' loyalty has always been to a foreign power. It was revealed at the Smithwick Tribunal that as PSNI head of intelligence he was its interface with MI5. Hardly a safe set of hands for matters of national security.

No adverse reflection on Harris' character intended : he appears to be a talented, experienced and principled Police officer.

Spanish Eyes · 26-06-2018 5:44pm

I wish him well.

I hope he gets the support he deserves from the rank and file who were thwarted by corruption and ineptitude over many years.

The support for him may just come from those not far up the ranks. I hope he gets a decent budget and support. Could be the best thing ever for this country. Hope so anyway.

Am not one bit worried or even thinking of the fact that he is ex PSNI, they had to go through their own very painful reforms and transition and it has worked reasonably well. So he knows what cleaning out a dodgy organisation is like!

Am very pleased it wasn't another insider.

Del.Monte · 26-06-2018 5:46pm

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Unless they separate Garda policing from national security functions this makes no sense.

Harris' loyalty has always been to a foreign power. It was revealed at the Smithwick Tribunal that as PSNI head of intelligence he was its interface with MI5. Hardly a safe set of hands for matters of national security.

No adverse reflection on Harris' character intended : he appears to be a talented, experienced and principled Police officer.

What matters of State security do you imagine he will be passing on to MI5 - everybody knows the Nuclear fallout bunker is under the Costume Barracks in Athlone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custume_Barracks Do we have any other secrets that might be useful to a 'foreign' power - the very one we would turn if we were threatened by terrorists/Russia etc.

Drew Harris appointed Garda commissioner.

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