NCJ Number
130020
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1991) Pages: 27-31
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Donegal County, Ireland, is a predominantly rural area with a low crime rate, but the threat of terrorism from the Irish Republican Army causes tension.
Abstract
Donegal is linked to the rest of the Republic of Ireland only by a 4-mile corridor on its southern border. The rest of its boundaries include more than 200 miles of rugged coastline and 98 miles of land border with Northern Ireland. Donegal has a population of about 100,000 and has an authorized police strength of 480. What complicates the work of Garda Siochana police in Donegal is the open border between the two Irelands. No documents are required to cross the border, and there is a great deal of interaction between the two sides. Terrorists from Northern Ireland often move across the border into Donegal. The police have to curtail the movement of suspected terrorists and supervise their activities. The uniformed section of the Garda Siochana is not armed; only plain clothes personnel carry arms. Donegal has 45 police stations but no permanent homicide squad. Female police officers are employed in all areas of the county to deal with police matters involving women and children, particularly sex crimes. Police recruits must be 19 years of age and have graduated from high school. Garda Siochana members are quite well-paid by Irish standards. A police recruit receives $16,460 a year to start, and a constable with 5 years of service receives $23,066. Superintendent pay ranges from $39,631 to $44,590 after 4 years. Programs such as Neighborhood Watch and Community Alert are operational, and neighborhood policing is being considered. High standards in personal conduct and professionalism are expected of all police officers.