GARDAI HAVE SAID that there needs to be clear guidelines in place regarding how they are expected to police evictions, especially when they happen in rural areas where officers and the person being evicted are likely to know each other. 

Sergeant Paul McDermott, Roscommon/Longford Division, described how many officers are unclear as to how they are expected to operate in these incidents.

Speaking at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) conference in Cavan, McDermott said that precise guidelines would limit the chances

He said: “There should be a set of standard operating procedures put in place for clarity for our members on their duties at these events.

“Not referring to particular incidents, incidents are arising around the country, we have seen them in Dublin, seen them around the country in rural areas.

Particularly in rural areas, members who are embedded in their community and asked to go to these, issues about notice about these, planning and resourcing, health and safety, members need clarity when they are going out.

“It’s a complex issue, our role is only there to make sure breach of peace doesn’t occur. You are stuck in the middle between both – the sheriff and his agents and the public and people involved in the eviction.”

In many cases, gardai have received serious threats from people.

McDermott said that gardai should be given adequate notice so they can prepare for any situation like this. He added that the health and safety of everybody involved is a priority. 

McDermott said: “Adequate notice when these things are happening to allow us plan for them. Sheriff provides us with order, you have to have plan, an operational plan, health and safety of everybody involved.

“There are issues that occur on private property, case law on it, our members may not be fully aware, they need to adequately briefed, a set of standard operating procedures for us would aid us significantly. Our role simply there to make sure not breach of the peace – depending on private property, different case law what we can or can’t do, why looking for clarity, training.”