NCJ Number
53234
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 50-52
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS HISTORY OF THE GARDA SIOCHANA, IRELAND'S UNARMED PEACEKEEPING FORCE, IS TRACED, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE MEN IS PRAISED. THE GROUP BEGAN ACCIDENTALLY AS THE RESULT OF A MUTINY IN 1922.
Abstract
THE GARDA SIOCHANA GREW OUT OF A MUTINY AMONG MEMBERS OF THE HEAVILY ARMED, TRADITIONAL ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY. THE CONCEPT OF AN UNARMED FORCE TO REESTABLISH CONTACT BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE POLICE WAS CONSIDERED MADNESS AT THE TIME. THE UNARMED MEN ENDURED CONSTANT ATTACKS BY THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, AND MANY WERE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THIS BLOODY HISTORY IS TRACED, THE EVOLUTION OF THE GARDA SIOCHANA INTO AN EFFECTIVE URBAN POLICE FORCE IS DESCRIBED, AND THE MEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORCE ARE PRAISED. THE HISTORY COVERS THE PERIOD 1922 TO 1926 AND RECOUNTS HOW CONSTANT EFFORTS TO REARM THE POLICE WERE REJECTED BY THE GARDA SIOCHANA LEADERSHIP. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES. (GLR)