This was essentially a policing failure. Blocking roads is an inconvenience, closing vital national infrastructure was a threat to the entire economy and everyday life. The Gardai stood back making posts on Instagram about policing theory and doctrine.
And btw a very snarky and openly party political contribution on Late Debate tonight makes me think you really want to be on the other side of the table. Just do it!
No fan of O Donovan but have noted that Louises reportage -such as this- is largely quotes from unnamed anonymous TDs. Being the chosen outlet for political cowards may get clicks but little respect.
Good ol Willie, always reliable
The standing arrangements for the Gardai seeking military support do not need Ministerial involvement, but in this situation it would have been advisable with 40/40 hindsight.
Indeed, but doubt they concerned about reputational damage abroad, immediate political advantage all that matters.
Attempts were made to warn of the effect/vulnerability of seaborne trade/ports to closure by a spectrum of threats including protests (cyber, industrial disputes, maritime accident, criminal, terrorist, kinetic etc) but never taken seriously. Hopefully the Maritime Security Strategy shows a change.
One RTE report from Galway was clearly a political opinion piece lightly disguised as reportage.
Agree, but the policing failure lies with the police not the government.
I mean the announcement was badly handled.
“Called out” is carrying a lot of weight there. Yes it was badly handled but there are protocols dating back to the Troubles that were followed. SF and others have decided to spin GS looking for DF specialist aid as the army being “unleashed” (Matt Carty). A lot of media are repeating this SF line.
Media today were painting the policing failure onto the government, but sorry its a Garda matter. In fairness noone was hurt but as the blockade of vital infrastructure happened the Garda did nothing-other than post on Instagram about their policing doctrine-and lost control. Lessons learned I hope
Marathon?
Business is business, and hypocrisy is easy to shrug off.Truckers buy a lot of breakfast rolls
By negotiating with the protesters the Gardai have given them legitimacy.
The motorway blocks are merely inconvenient the port blocks a national level economic threat.The failure of the Garda to foresee, plan for, and deal with this situation is an indictment. Their reaction- SM posts on policing theory, reinforcing the protesters legitimately, swipes at the army - cop on
The GRA will decide
Action or not is a matter for the Garda, and they don’t seem minded to do anything much other than cut local limited deals.
Yes patently true, but what support does that view have in the Commission and Council?
This is self-serving bluster from the Garda who’s daily Instagram posts re “policing by consent” and E4 etc were to cover their intelligence failure and inertia. They waited for a government direction/taking responsibility before doing …nothing. The EU presidency will be fun, the GRA will milk it.
mRNA was advanced by a German company
Always a Plan B which they know the US will go along with, because they always have.
The Garda inertia (other than on Instagram) even after the government gave them a direction/took responsibility shows the limitations of their self-serving police by consent/E4 model. That the biggest police force in our history cannot even secure Whitegate tells a story. EU Presidency will be fun.
An RTE reporter in Galway issued what was essentially a political opinion piece disguised as reportage.
Katie Hannon backed up Matt Carty saying the government “threatened to unleash the Defence Forces”, deeply offensive to serving members and veterans. Livelive kept harping on about the protest leaders having a meeting with the Taoiseach which anyone with a live braincell knew was nonsense.
Creep
‘We see you’: Britain claims it rumbled ‘secret’ Russian plot to interfere with subsea cables.
www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/202...
Is Israel making a contribution? Its their war.
This has moved beyond protest into economic sabotage. Shutting down vital national infrastructure is criminal and unacceptable- whatever your pot of grievances.
And the strength of the US based on “deeply held values and principles….” Is this just the usual American self-congratulatory recitation or maybe wishful thinking? Noone told the resident of the WH about that stuff.