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Garda Press Office

Gardaí in three stations to start wearing controversial new summer uniform from today

The organisation said it will take feedback from members on the suitability of the uniform.

THE PILOT FOR a new summer uniform for members of An Garda Síochána will start in three stations from today.

The design for the new uniforms has been criticised by rank-and-file gardaí, who claim it is not practical and does not look professional.

The shirt in the pilot uniform is made up of two fabrics – at the top it is fabric similar to the shirt currently worn by members and from the chest down the material is lighter material. The trousers are made of a similar material to the current formal trousers, but they have a large combat-style pocket on each leg.

From today gardaí in Bunclody station in Wexford, Henry Street station in Limerick and Tallagh station in Dublin will pilot the summer uniform.

At the Garda Representative Association (GRA) conference last month, then President Ciaran O’Neill said the uniform needs a “dramatic overhaul and modernising”.

Changing the cover of the protection vest, sticking a pocket on the trousers and giving us a breathable t-shirt which is hidden is just not good enough and sets up a false dawn.

“If our technology is to be brought up to modern-day standards under the modernization agenda Commissioner, then so should our uniform,” he said. “The uniform is the most visible thing about a member of An Garda Síochána. While others walk away from danger our members walk towards it. We need our uniform to reflect the work we do and it should provide the comfort and security to allow us to do our job effectively.”

“The pilot is part of the development and improvement of the garda operational uniform in conjunction with the Uniform Committee,” it said.

“Feedback from garda members on the suitability of the summer uniform will be taken into consideration as part of the forthcoming procurement process for the operational uniform.”

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    Mute Niamh May
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:28 AM

    What the f@ck is going on with the judicial system in this country??

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    Mute eastsmer
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:35 AM

    No idea but the article is about Bangor, Co. Down where a different judicial system is in operation.

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    Mute Niamh May
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:48 AM

    True enough but still a joke.

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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Mar 12th 2016, 10:24 AM

    Look at how long it took them to pass legislation on “online grooming”. It’s difficult to criminalise behaviour that’s indicative of future crimes without the actual commission of the crime, total legal quagmire.

    The simple fact he was detained and only released under bail conditions for vaguely defined “suspicious approaches” is a result of expanded child protection laws, of which the North has more stringent ones than we do.

    I’d like to know what the charges would be if prosecution went ahead. Also, what are the bail conditions? Hopefully stringent enough so he can be charged if and/or when he breaks them, and it’s not a matter of waiting for him to commit a more easily prosecutable crime.

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    Mute Diana M.
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    Mar 12th 2016, 2:08 PM

    Honestly. I’m starting to suspect pedophile judges.

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    Mute Phil O' Connor
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:36 AM

    Our judicial system is as bad if not worse

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    Mute Phil O' Connor
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:35 AM

    Ffs. ..another one loose again

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    Mute John Killeen
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:44 AM

    Nutcracker the only job for that animal

    29
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    Mute Alanearls
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:47 AM

    Hopefully his file rather than been passed to the courts office makes its way in a brown envelope out the back door and to a group of lads that will have a chat with him that involves a coal bag full of chimney cleaning rods,

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    Mute Darragh
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    Mar 12th 2016, 10:07 AM

    Coming out of chimney sweeping season! Another career could be better

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Mar 12th 2016, 12:47 PM

    A year or so ago, there was an alert about a strange man approaching children outside our local school.
    When the panic and lynch mob calmed down, it transpired the man had learning difficulties and was simply lonely and could relate to children more than adults.
    It is right that we are all vigilant and that we get police to investigate matters, but let’s slow down with the fire torches and pitchforks and let our justice system deal with it calmly

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    Mute Joey Gee
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    Mar 12th 2016, 10:22 AM

    Once upon a long ago, a certain loyalist paramilitary group, well known for being strongly connected to certain child abusers, ran the Kilcooley estate.
    Must still be in charge.

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    Mute Kathleen Henderson
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:32 AM

    He’s released on bail with severe conditions I presume.Its incredible.

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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Mar 12th 2016, 10:30 AM

    That’s good thinking wait until he assaults or kills some child then arrest him . I will never understand the system

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Mar 12th 2016, 11:33 AM

    His mind set he is going to be locked up anyway with this in mind he could strike again with terrible consequences for some family . Very risky to release him.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Mar 12th 2016, 9:42 AM

    That’s sounds about right

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