Helen McEntee backs Drew Harris, questions merit of no confidence vote by gardaí

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has questioned the merit of a potential vote of no confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, and denied that there was any threat to his job despite a looming ballot.

Ms McEntee made the comments after the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said on Wednesday that they would ballot members on whether they have confidence in Mr Harris. The GRA represents 12,000 rank and file gardaí.

“I think that if we were to go down that route, I’m not sure what that would resolve,” Ms McEntee said on Friday when asked about a potential vote of no confidence in Mr Harris. She was speaking to reporters at Templemore Garda College in Co Tipperary, where she attended a passing out ceremony for 87 new Garda recruits – 62 of whom will be stationed in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

Ms McEntee said the no confidence ballot was not “helpful” but acknowledged that the Garda union have raised concerns including the discontinuing of an emergency contingency roster introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Ms McEntee disagreed with claims that the commissioner and senior garda management have refused to listen to concerns raised by the union. “The commissioner has always said that he’s willing to engage.”

In a statement released on Thursday evening, An Garda Síochána said that garda management were continuing to engage with the GRA and “working to address a broad range of issues” but despite “extensive negotiations” had hitherto not been able to reach an agreement on new roster arrangements.

Ms McEntee also noted that an additional €10 million in funding for garda overtime would help to increase visibility in Dublin, following a spate of violent incidents in the capital in recent weeks. She said she had been “assured” that the additional overtime would be taken up by officers.

She said the recruits graduating from Templemore on Friday would help add to garda visibility on the streets of Dublin.

“People want to see gardaí in their uniforms out in communities, and these gardaí will be doing that along with the new recruits down the line.”

Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon said she was “confident” that officers would take up overtime for the “enhanced operation” planned for Dublin city centre.

“Not everybody wants to do over time, that’s the case now, it has always been the case. But there has always been a cohort of people willing to do overtime,” she said, speaking in Templemore on Friday.

[ McEntee under spotlight as street crime becomes the issue ]

Of the 87 probationer gardaí sworn in on Friday, 69 are male and 18 female. Ms McEntee acknowledged that the force was not yet hitting the recruitment goal of 1,000 new officers this year but said she had “absolute confidence” the target was within reach.

One recruit, 19-year-old Jillian Quinn from Connemara, said she was nervous ahead of her stationing in Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin, especially in light of recent violence. “But I know I’ll have great colleagues, great help.”

“I suppose there’s such an emphasis on recruitment lately, more members on the street, more help, that’ll be brilliant I think,” she said, speaking prior to her passing out ceremony on Friday.

Another new garda and former chef from Limerick, Aaron O’Brien, said that only experience can prepare new gardaí in tackling hostility towards members of the force. “It’s scary, I won’t lie ... It’s becoming more prevalent and as new members, we just need to prepare for it.”

Miriam Tomas, originally from near Alicante in Spain, joins the gardaí after moving to Ireland a number of years ago. “I came to this country and I just fell in love with it. I feel at home here ... This is what I want to do.”

Katelynn Cahalane, from Dunmanway in West Cork, said it was only natural to feel some fear going into a new job. “For anyone beginning a new job, they’re going to be afraid. This is a different kind of fear but at the same time I’m excited for it, it’s going to be a whole new chapter in my life,” she said.

Eoin Walsh, a Wexford native and a former contestant on The Voice UK, said he decided to join the gardaí to make a difference in people’s lives.

With 87 new gardaí leaving Templemore, a further intake of 175 Garda recruits will begin training at the college on Monday. A further 289 recruits are currently in training at Templemore.