GARDA REPRESENTATIVE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE:THE PRESIDENT of the Garda Representative Association has backed controversial comments by his predecessor who claimed the Government was corrupt and Fianna Fáil had been "bought" by bankers and developers.
Damien McCarthy, who yesterday assumed the position of association president, said he completely supported the comments of the outgoing president Michael O’Boyce, whose unprecedented attack on the Government forced the withdrawal of Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern from the association’s annual conference in Limerick city.
“I have no difficulty in supporting the sentiments expressed by the president of the association,” Mr McCarthy said yesterday at the closing session of the conference.
The contentious comments were contained in a speech addressed to Mr Ahern that was to be delivered at the conference by Mr O’Boyce on Tuesday.
However, when a copy of the remarks was supplied to Mr Ahern in advance he decided to withdraw from the conference over the tone of the remarks.
He then issued a statement strongly rebuking the association saying the comments were an “unprecedented political intervention” by a Garda representative.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time programme on Tuesday night, Mr Ahern said he would not be taking disciplinary action against Mr O’Boyce for breaching Garda rules to remain apolitical.
Mr Ahern said no action would be taken because Mr O’Boyce’s term as association president was ending.
However, the clear support shown by new president Damien McCarthy for Mr O’Boyce has the potential to result in a difficult relationship between the association, which represents almost 12,000 gardaí in a 14,500-strong force, and Mr Ahern.
Yesterday a number of Senators criticised Mr O’Boyce’s comments. Feargal Quinn described them as “not acceptable”, David Norris said they were “highly dangerous” and Dan Boyle of the Greens described the remarks as “treacherous”.
When Mr Ahern withdrew from the conference, the controversial address that was to be delivered by Mr O’Boyce was cancelled.
He said he would not make the speech because Mr Ahern was not present to defend himself.
Garda delegates clapped and cheered when it was announced Mr Ahern would not be attending and Mr O’Boyce was given a standing ovation.
Many delegates at the conference spoke of their frustration at the public sector pay cuts and at the Garda recruitment moratorium at a time when a record number of members were retiring.
Mr McCarthy said yesterday that while he supported Mr O’Boyce, he had no intention of becoming involved in politics during his two-year term as president.
He said he intended to use his time to campaign for his members on a variety of issues.
He intended to seek representation for gardaí at any future talks between public sector unions and the Government on pay and conditions.
The association does not have a place at the negotiating table because it is a representative body rather than a trade union. Gardaí are not permitted to be represented by a trade union and are also banned from striking.
Mr McCarthy also said he would work for a relaxation of the rules banning gardaí from some part-time posts.
He would also campaign for the introduction of a new mandatory 12-year term of imprisonment for those who attacked gardaí and would work with his association colleagues towards the removal of the Garda recruitment moratorium.