A large proportion of gardai are expected to ignore a last-minute plea from the Commissioner, and will refuse to work the 24 hours beginning at 6 a.m. today in support of pay demands.
The Minister for Justice described the plan for rank-and-file gardai to claim a day's sickness as "unjustified, unwarranted and out of all proportion to the reality of the [pay negotiations] situation as it presently stands". No government could yield to the demands of one group of public service employees "in the face of action which can only have the effect of threatening the safety of the community", Mr O'Donoghue said.
Last night the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, appealed to his officers. "What signal are you sending out to the people of Ireland, to the children of Ireland, that members of the Garda Siochana would perpetrate a dishonesty? - I'm loathe to use that word but I have to - if members report sick when they are not sick."
Estimates that up to 80 per cent of the 8,500 gardai would not work today were made by their representatives yesterday. A brief survey in various stations suggested this might not be an exaggeration. However, senior officers insisted yesterday that sufficient policing would be provided. They had no plans to call in the Army, although that could change. All Garda leave has been cancelled and officers who are working will do 12-hour shifts. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said its members would work as directed today, but under protest. In future such conflicts, they would not do extra work.
One source said about 25 per cent of the total manpower would be on duty at any time. Normally no more than 33 per cent are on duty. Senior officers are concerned that if a serious emergency occurs, it could severely damage the image of the force.
Available for work today are 2,300 officers of the rank of sergeant upwards; 850 probationer gardai with fewer than two years service; and 200 students from the Garda College at Templemore who are being pressed into service, many in Dublin. An unknown number of ordinary gardai will also work normally. i have warned Banks, post offices and other businesses handling cash have been warned to be especially alert. A particular concern is cash deliveries to post offices for social welfare and pension payments; 19 major deliveries take place in Dublin every Friday carrying millions of pounds. Many people on benefit could be without money for the holiday weekend.
Dail debate and analysis of the Garda pay claim: page 5