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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reviews a trainee guard of honour on his first visit to Templemore Garda Training College in County Tipperary. RollingNews.ie

Taoiseach tells new gardaí: 'Your loyalty is not to the person in the uniform. It is to the uniform and all that it stands for'

A change in the culture of gardaí in which ‘no-one ever hesitates in speaking truth to power’ is needed, according to Leo Varadkar.

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has told new Garda members that their “greatest loyalty is in providing a solid blue wall in support of justice”.

Speaking at the Garda passing out parade at the Garda College in Templemore today, where 200 new recruits attested, he said:

“Your loyalty is not to the person in the uniform. It is to the uniform. To all that it stands for,” adding:

“It is the best way of honouring your past and the men and women who have worn that uniform.”

Highlighting Justice Charleton’s report on the Disclosures Tribunal, the Taoiseach told the newest members of the gardaí that there is a need for a culture change within the force, “one in which people at all levels of the organisation, without fear or favour, share ideas on opportunities and problems”. 

He said there is also a need for a culture of shared accountability and one in which “no-one ever hesitates in to speaking truth to power “.

“I hope that in the years to come you will look back on today with pride that you were the recruits who entered at that moment of change. You embraced and owned the new culture,” he said. 

Modernisation of the force

Varadkar also mentioned the changes recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and the told the new recruits that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is determined to drive reform and modernisation.

“His primary focus is to protect the public and his members. From my meetings with him, I know he is determined to make swift progress on the issues that have been raised by Gardaí – including rosters, uniforms and appropriate resources, such as ICT – to help you do your job,” said the Taoiseach.

TEMPLEMORE 758A7089_90559767 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reviews a trainee guard of honour on his first visit to Templemore Garda Training College in County Tipperary. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

“Those who put on the uniform are called to perform the highest service in the land. It is a responsibility you have willingly accepted and we thank you for it,” he told graduates this afternoon.

With criticisms levelled at the force in recent years about the pullback in community policing, the Taoiseach specifically mentioned the importance of it.

“As you embark on your careers, remember that many people will spend the most difficult times of their life in your presence. In the aftermath of a sudden bereavement, a mental health crisis, or during the anxious wait for a missing loved one, they will turn to you. This is a huge responsibility and one I know you are ready for.

“You have the power to make a positive impact. You have the power to save lives. You also have the power to change lives. The future is in your hands,” he concluded. 

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    Mute Opinionated
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    Jun 10th 2020, 6:46 PM

    Someone robbed a puppy farm

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    Mute Mill Lane
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:39 PM

    @Opinionated: Not according to the animal charity I follow on Facebook, it was on their feed last night looking for information and they clearly stated the owners were not puppy farmers.

    Most likely responsible breeders, puppy farms I doubt would report the theft of several pups and dogs of different breeds.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:52 PM

    @Mill Lane: maybe not a puppy farm but a backyard breeder. Have never heard of a ‘responsible’ breeder with at least four different breeds all ready to be sold around the same time.

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Jun 10th 2020, 8:05 PM

    @EillieEs: the breeder we got our dog from had litters of two different breeds at the same time. He only bred them every two years and did both breeds at around the same time because puppies are a lot of work, so it was easier for him to look after them all for 2/3 months rather than spreading it out and having puppies running around for 4/5 months

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    Mute Gerard
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    Jun 10th 2020, 8:18 PM

    @Mill Lane: as a genuine question what’s the difference between a responsible breeder and a puppy farm? I can’t think of any possible difference which isn’t just an arbitrary line in the sand. There’s so many in kennels people might be more willing to adopt if they couldn’t get “purebreds” from a “responsible breeder”.

    But as bad as conditions might have been (maybe not though — irresponsible doesn’t necessarily mean mistreatment), they don’t exactly sound like they’d be getting any better with someone who’d burgle a puppy farm.

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    Mute Delboy79
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    Jun 10th 2020, 9:32 PM

    @Opinionated: huge demand for dogs during lockdown . While great for rescue centers who are often overburdened with unwanted dogs,it was only a matter of time before the criminals got in on the act to profit from this demand . If you are contributing to this demand do the responsible thing and only obtain a dog through a registered reputable breeder or a rescue center .

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jun 10th 2020, 10:32 PM

    @Sam Harms: At least four different breeds, she said, and she’s right to question how that came about.

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    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
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    Jun 11th 2020, 12:47 AM

    @Mill Lane: it is a puppy farm if they are kept in kennels out back. Any good breeder has only one or 2 breeds. It’s a slippery slope having more. Pure greed. .. Hope puppies are safe.

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    Mute Pauline Gallagher
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    Jun 11th 2020, 1:13 PM

    @Mill Lane: no such thing as responsible breeders.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Jun 11th 2020, 2:55 PM

    @Delboy79: the shutdown has been disastrous for rescues. Apart from being unable to fundraise as normal, they stopped fostering out and adopting as they couldn’t do home checks. The only homed to people who’d been home checked in the past.

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    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
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    Jun 10th 2020, 6:42 PM

    Definitely NOT a cat burglar so!

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    Mute devotional
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:36 PM

    Not enough info here but Its a worry when you see different breeds for sale from the same breeder / seller .
    I hope it’s not yet another puppy farm , they seem rampant still in Ireland .

    Donedeal should not allow dogs to be sold either . It’s scary looking at what’s on it .

    We rescued a dog from a shelter recently , the dog is thriving . It’s not a cute pup but a dog that loves people and keeps us fit from 3 walks every day !
    Would recommend anyone looking for a pet to at least have a look .

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    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
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    Jun 11th 2020, 12:51 AM

    @devotional: yes I fostered a puppy farm mum recently. that had been rescued. The poor thing was in the most horrific state I’ve ever encountered. It’s taken me over 4 months to get her to settle, but she is so terrified of men. Dont support these people. They are cruel. There are some lovely breeders but they have one mum not 5, or 10.

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    Mute TheITGuy
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    Jun 10th 2020, 6:49 PM

    Cruel puppy farm robbed.

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 10th 2020, 6:34 PM

    Is sentimental value not attached to an object? Either way I hope they are found safe and well.

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 10th 2020, 6:46 PM

    Plus based on the report, all of them should be microchipped.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:55 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: I suppose they could hardly say “much loved family pets”‘when they were obviously bred for profit!

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    Mute Billy
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:31 PM

    Whether they get them back or not I hope the puppies aren’t harmed.

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    Mute Patrick Khan
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    Jun 10th 2020, 8:55 PM

    In other words the familys source of income has been taken. Sentimental value yeah right. A puppy farm..
    Its called KARMA

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    Mute Kate Mchugh Moylan
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:10 PM

    Check out done deal I’m sure they’ll prob put them up for sale shortly

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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:49 PM

    @Kate Mchugh Moylan: or could be on boat to England

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    Mute Gerard
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    Jun 10th 2020, 8:12 PM

    If they just have a huge property and income and happen to love dogs, you’d have to feel bad for them with everyone assuming they’re a puppy farm.

    But who would steal 14 dogs from anywhere but a puppy farm? Where they just happen to know the monetary value of the top of their heads. “Sentimental value”? Alright.

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    Mute Lorraine Mac Rory
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:57 PM

    Dear Garda confidential line… I’d like to report a puppy farm….

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    Mute Ned Gerblansky
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    Jun 10th 2020, 6:41 PM

    Why carry a story like this? There won’t be any sympathy. Much more worthwhile causes could do with the airtime.

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    Mute Gina Carroll
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:04 PM

    @Ned Gerblansky: actually its is a worthwhile story, how do u kno its a puppy farm, could be a rescue? Plus people need to watch out for these dogs being off loaded cheap.

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    Mute Ned Gerblansky
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:17 PM

    @Gina Carroll: pretty simple actually, Rescues don’t put a monetary value on a dog.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:48 PM

    @Gina Carroll: if it was a rescue it would say that in the article.

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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:48 PM

    @Gina Carroll: it’s not a rescue as it said some had been sold

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jun 10th 2020, 10:30 PM

    @Ned Gerblansky: Isn’t it really so people are aware of it, in case the puppies turn up for sale?
    At least anyone reading this can check it out if they’re offered a pup that belongs to someone else.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Jun 11th 2020, 2:49 PM

    @Margaret Deacon: the fact it’s not a rescue and on the face of it appears to be a backyard breeder, was exactly my point. I’m certainly not in any way trying to justify the theft; I’d be extremely concerned for the welfare of puppies who’ve been stolen irrespective of where they’ve been stolen from.

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    Mute Charles Coughlan
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    Jun 10th 2020, 6:39 PM

    Black Audi type car, discussed on C103 earlier.

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    Mute paul mccoy
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    Jun 10th 2020, 10:35 PM

    At the end of the day if you have a love of dogs or any animal for that matter go to a rescue centre and give one a decent home that it longs for. Forget these greedy breeders that only think about profit and couldn’t care less about the welfare of the animal. They are in it for the money full stop. Do the decent thing. Puppy farms in this country should be banned.

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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:39 PM

    Sounds like an animal rescue to me. Anyone that says “ the dogs have sentimental value “ describing an animal and has 14 of them most for “ adoption “ aka sale , an abduction seems totally justified.

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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:50 PM

    @Isabel Oliveira: of course it’s sentimental value it churning out pups for sale

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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:57 PM

    @Margaret Deacon: yeah, registered puppy farm but still a cruelty. All these poor animals for sale and used as breeding machines.

    https://commercialsaleofpuppies.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/republic-of-ireland/

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Jun 11th 2020, 2:58 PM

    @Isabel Oliveira: I very much doubt that people who would steal puppies in this manner have the welfare of the pups in mind.

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Jun 10th 2020, 7:07 PM

    Doggone it.

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    Mute Lochlainn Marcus
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    Jun 11th 2020, 12:08 AM

    I hope the puppy’s are safe and well no matter what and that they are treated properly. Were there no cameras on the kennels?? The poor little pets.
    Puppy farms should be banned

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    Mute Andrew Letcher
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    Jun 11th 2020, 6:44 AM

    So they were sentimentally attached to some puppies they were going to sell?

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    Mute Mia Övernäs
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    Jun 11th 2020, 10:43 AM

    Why was the their “beloved pets” living in a shed and not indoors?

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    Mute Massimo Gullo
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    Jun 11th 2020, 6:58 AM

    I think the dog themselves organized the escape, making it look like a burglary …
    Them dogs didn’t want to be sold ;)

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    Mute James Quinn
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    Jun 10th 2020, 11:04 PM

    God that’s woof !

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    Mute liverpoolfan800
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    Jun 10th 2020, 9:27 PM

    I’d love to know why my comment was deleted.

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