Garda Commissioner accused of ‘failing’ in road policing staff numbers

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been accused of “a significant failing” through presiding over a drop in staffing roads policing units.

Following the death of Garda Kevin Flatley at a speed checkpoint in Dublin on Sunday, the Garda Commissioner said there should be a “real reset and rethink about our approach as a society to road safety”.

Labour TD Alan Kelly has called on the Commissioner to clarify what he meant by this “refocus”.

“The simple fact of the matter is that in 2009 there were 1,046 gardai of different ranks involved in roads policing in Ireland,” he said at Leinster House on Tuesday.

“Currently, I understand there’s just in excess of 600. That’s a 40% drop.

“Now, given where we are as a country, and given that this is such a huge issue, I think under his tenure to have that sort of a drop, despite his commitments in the justice committee last year, is a significant failing and something that he should answer questions on.”

He said the Justice Committee was told by Mr Harris last year that 75 more gardai would join road policing units in 2024 and a further 75 in 2025.

He said that despite 285 gardai and sergeants being qualified for the role, “very few have been appointed”.

“He’s got to really stand up for what he is saying as regards to resources that go into roads policing, and I’m afraid he’s not able to.”

Mr Kelly and other TDs added to the tributes paid to Garda Flatley, who was killed after being hit by a motorbike while operating a speed detection checkpoint in north Dublin on Sunday.

The 49-year-old had served as a garda for 26 years and had been with the Roads Policing Unit since 2018.

The married father-of-two was the 90th officer to die on duty since the creation of the force in 1922.

Gardai attended a memorial service held for Kevin Flatley at Dublin Castle on Monday, and a minute’s silence was held in the Dail on Tuesday.

Mr Kelly said: “Anytime a Garda dies in the line of duty, it’s obviously a very traumatic experience, firstly for the family, but also for the force.

“Furthermore, it’s a traumatic experience for the country as well, because and An Garda Siochana are there to protect us all and help us all, and anytime one dies, particularly in a tragic accident like this, it awakens the fact that we should be so supportive of them.”

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin extended his sympathies to the family of Garda Flatley.

“It’s an absolute catastrophe for Kevin’s family, our deepest sympathies go to Kevin’s family, but it’s also a disaster for the country as well, to lose a Garda in such circumstances.

“The 90th garda to lose his or her life in the line of duty as well.”

Aontu and Independent Ireland called for greater protections for gardai.

Mr Toibin said: “Everyday, gardai are being attacked in this country, and we in Aontu have a bill which, if implemented, would ensure that there is a mandatory minimum sentence for anybody who injures a garda in the line of work.

“I do believe the state needs to do more to show that we have the back of gardai on duty today and every day in this country.”

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said “a lot of gardai” have contacted me about feeling “vulnerable” after the death of their colleague.

He said gardai have said they feel their vehicles “aren’t properly flagged” or “properly visible to the public”.

“It is a tragic under tragic circumstances that their colleague has passed away.

“It’s got them feeling extremely vulnerable in many ways,” he said.

Asked about the political grouping’s position on speed limits, he said it should be left to local authorities and gardai to decide on what they should be, instead of “blanket” limits nationwide.