Sir, In the special report marking the 75th Anniversary of An Garda Siochana (June 18th), the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, said: "Policing today has changed radically from 1950/1960. We are talking about very different times, attitudes and perceptions. Society back then was not as demanding. The community is now more questioning, more educated, and rightly demands a better performance from all public servants, including gardai, and it also demands greater accountability."
With clear reference to serving gardai of that era, Mr Byrne also stated: "I acknowledge the tremendous work done by our people in the past, but I don't honestly think that they could cope with today's problems."
I strongly take issue with Mr Byrne regarding this statement. I regard it as unprofessional, unhelpful, and certainly hurtful, not only to the then serving gardai but also members of the public at that time.
Prospective Garda recruits, then as now, had to sit a Civil Service examination, undergo a stringent physical exam, appear before an interview board. Their personal backgrounds and those of their families had also to be investigated. Crimes then were as they are today, with the exception of the drugs scene. Murder, rape, robbery, assaults, fraud and associated crimes did exist then Mr Byrne, and members of the public did suffer and did expect the gardai to apprehend the culprits and made them accountable.
May I point out that the then gardai, without benefit of any modern technical gadgetry, not even a radio, alone, and often isolated, did bravely and diligently go about their duties and sadly all too often forfeited their lives as a consequence.
I find it most reprehensible that such dedicated and honourable men should at this late stage be unjustly maligned in public, and by one of "their people".
Yours, etc.,
(Ex Garda Sgt, 1950/60 era), Willow Park Road,
Dublin 11.