Garda Retired

Law firm says it stopped acting for claimants after being told of fraud fears from Irish Independent 11th. July 2019 by Ray Managh, Simone Smith, Nicola Anderson and Amy Molloy A JUDGE has said some solicitors should be more selective about who they accept as clients as she dismissed five fraudulent personal injury claims for […]

From Irish Independent 11th. July 2019 by Aoife Moore PHOTOS: MARK CONDREN JUSTICE Minister Charlie Flanagan has said he wants to ensure State bodies and the Garda are “friendly workplaces for women” as he marked the 60th anniversary of women joining An Garda Síochána. Speaking at the event at Dublin’s Farmleigh House yesterday, Mr Flanagan […]

1 Jul 2019 Irish Independent Darragh McDonagh – aren’t we blessed with the people representing us in both Houses of the Oireachtas. Don’t think us ordinary retired public servants would get away with this for so long. A FINE Gael senator who received a €30,000 golden handshake when he lost his Dáil seat, on condition […]

Minister faces calculated guess on Brexit outcome – from todays Irish independent. 26 Jun 2019 Irish Independent Kevin Doyle GROUP POLITICAL EDITOR Looks to me like we are being primed for the Big Fall – all bets off – 2020 was promised as the year for full restoration – now we are heading for doomsday […]

From Irish Independent 26 Jun 2019 Irish Independent by Robin Schiller A REPORT into Garda public order policing has said that more female gardaí are needed for the specialist units in the organisation. Concerns have also been raised about an ad hoc approach to organisational learning of public order policing, while the review calls for […]

Congratulations to Cork native, Paul Tierney who this afternoon (Thursday) completed a record-breaking and gruelling trek in the UK. Having set-off last Friday morning, Paul Tierney scaled all 214 Wainwright Fells in the Lake District. He shaved nearly seven (7) hours off the previous record for the 520 kilometre distance. Click on link for more […]

Best Wishes to Garda Paul Tierney. Garda Paul Tierney who served at Roxboro Road (Limerick), Cobh & Glanmire Stations is currently on a career-break from the force. The former Cork GAA Hurling Star is now living in the town of Ambleside in the English Lake District – which is regarded as the hub for the […]

By Cormac McQuinn Sunday Independent June 9 2019 Shane Ross has defended the “hounding” of his ministerial colleague Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran over the timetable for reopening the garda station in Stepaside. It comes after the emergence of text messages showing how Mr Ross’s adviser sought updates from Mr Moran’s staff on the controversial €1.5m project. […]

Maeve Sheehan from Sunday Independent 9th. June 2019 Relatives have found their voice as they fight to keep the murderers of their loved ones behind bars, writes Maeve Sheehan Ronan Quinn was 14 when his childhood friend murdered his mother. Ronan had tonsillitis that day. His mother, Christine, took him to the doctor in Kilkenny […]

From Sunday Independent 9th. June 2019 by Maeve Sheehan Customs and revenue offences not listed on Pulse system A review of how 41 suspicious deaths were classified and investigated by gardai has exposed serious flaws in the force’s intelligence database and also investigative shortcomings. The review found that the Garda vetting system has been put […]

Article from Irish Times by Conor Lally. Why did it take 12 months to reach this decision. Obvious from the start the Garda acted lawfully at all times, in the face of adversity. An armed Garda member, who fired the shot that killed the man who abducted and murdered Jastine Valdez last year, will face […]

Job Vacancy at IPA (International Police Association) Section Ireland, Head Office. 13 Iona Drive, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Job Sharing Position 2/3 days per week. Office hours 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The ideal candidate should have experience in the following: Microsoft Office Package Sage Payroll Quick Books Applicants should be able to work on […]

GSRMA are deeply saddened at the tragic death of Garda Dave Aherne. We remember his wife and children at this time. As well as his serving colleagues in Waterford. May he rest in peace. Dave was an advisor on police water rescue to the Foundation. He was a highly qualified and experienced police diver which […]

Since 2009 I suffered with type 2 diabetes, despite ending up on max medication to no avail. Two months with Dr Eva, I’ve practically reversed my diabetes and am no longer on medication. Sleep Apnoea gone. Cholesterol back to normal & most importantly two stone lighter on her medically managed diet. Dr Eva Orsmond examines […]

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) is fighting back, attempting to maintain a pivotal place for itself in dealing with new oversight and disciplinary structures proposed by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. It is seeking consultations between the Department of Justice and all three independent bodies – the Garda Inspectorate, the […]

From Irish Times by Harry McGee Might have been a surprise to some Senators, but no surprise to many others ! Serving judges in the superior courts will not have to apply for promotion, following a significant concession by the Government to opponents of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. Taking Senators by surprise, Minister for […]

The Press Council of Ireland provides the public with an independent forum for resolving complaints against the press, seeks to maintain standards in Irish journalism and journalistic ethics and endeavours to protect the freedom of the press. It is comprised of 13 people, with a majority of seven independent public interest members drawn from outside […]

Good Morning Paschal, The Pensions Administration Section of the Department of Justice & Equality received a query from a Pensioner regarding this issue on Wednesday of this week. We advised the Pensioner to contact Revenue to resolve this. It is only on receipt of your email yesterday that we became aware that the problem was […]

GEORGE WASHINGTON believed it was better to be alone than in bad company. But Maurice McCabe did not join An Garda Síochána to become a household name; to be shunned or side-lined was not part of his intended career path. There was dark irony in the fact he would become known as a ‘whistleblower’; the […]

For many long-time, foreign observers of this country, the speed with which we became a modern, pluralist society is something which fascinates them. Within the space of a generation, we went from a country that prohibited divorce and abortion and considered homosexuality a crime, to a society where nowadays the only discussion about divorce is […]

It is not good enough for the Government to continually bleat that gardaí have sufficient resources when basic tools to do the job are often denied to members. Usually, whenever gardaí feature prominently in the media, it relates to a scandal, a tribunal or a crime spree. So, it’s useful for a change to consider […]

Expecting unarmed Gardaí to confront armed thugs is unreasonable From Irish Independent 30th. May 2019 THERE was as much pride and pomp as decency would allow in 1922, when Commissioner Michael Staines led his new Force though the gates of Dublin Castle, the seat of British power in Ireland. Only five days after this historic […]

The Memorial Day for Members of An Garda Síochána who had lost their lives in the line of duty , will take place on Saturday 18th May 2019 at noon at Dublin Castle. Please click to see the invitation- (PDF format). Memorial Day 2019

ST. PAULS GARDA MEDICAL AID SOCIETY NOTICE OF A.GM. Each Member of the Society. 20th March 2019 This email is to inform you that a new circular is available to view and print on our website at www.medicalaid.ie by clicking on the NOTICE BOARD section and opening the latest circular dated 20th March 2019. It […]

It is undeniable that reform in the criminal justice system has been long overdue, while the significant failures have been felt most strongly by those of us and our families who have served over many years and walked in harm’s way, writes police and security specialist John O’Brien, current member of the GSRMA Central Committee […]

Irish Independent account of the ‘first shots’ of the War of Independence – Irish Independent 24th. January 2019 IN connection with the shooting of Constables McDonnell and O’Connell at Soloheadbeg, Tipperary, Patrick Gorman, labourer, Churchfield, Donohill, about four miles from Tipperary, was arrested yesterday evening. Another man was arrested at Dundrum, but his name has […]

{ From Irish Independent today 24th. January 2019 by Paul Williams, Laura Larkin and Cormac McQuinn} ‘Worst case scenario’ for British crash-out – More than 400 new customs staff in place on Brexit day Fears have been raised about a ‘gap’ in social welfare pay-outs GARDA management are drafting emergency plans to deploy hundreds of […]

{Something we do very well in Ireland is find a scapegoat – never blame the system, especially a system over which Senior management lauded over the years – in this case blame individual Gardai – what a COP out} The Garda Representative Association has claimed it would be wrong to “smear” individual gardaí over shortcomings […]

The people of the Co Tipperary townland of Solohead gathered on Saturday 19th. January 2019 to remember momentous events which occurred there 100 years ago and which would eventually lead – with many twists and turns – to an independent Irish State. Centenary commemorations for the Soloheadbeg ambush brought with them the first gathering of […]

{As reported in todays Irish Times by Ray Managh – Nothing is ever made easy for Gardai or indeed surviving Spouses and family by this State – Lip Service is the name of the game at the time of these tragedies, that’s about all} Settlement talks have broken down between representatives of the Minister for […]

A DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions employee will go on trial charged with leaking confidential and sensitive information in connection with the Peter Butterly murder trial. Jonathan Lennon (35), from Clonee, Dublin 15, was charged with breaking the Official Secrets Act in relation to criminal proceedings resulting from the murder of dissident republican Butterly. He was […]

{From Irish Independent Tuesday 22nd. January 2019} CONTRARY to popular belief, the first fatal shots in the War of Independence were not fired at Soloheadbeg, Co Tipperary, by Dan Breen and Sean Treacy, on January 21, 1919, the same day that the first Dáil opened, but in Kerry several months earlier. Though it is true […]

{As reported in todays Irish Times { by Conor Gallagher} – 3rd. January 2019 Garda Commissioner Drew Harris intends to use external recruitment agencies for the first time in an effort to fill key roles from the private sector. The Garda has come in for significant criticism in recent years for its slow pace in […]

NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND Dublin 2, nationalgallery.ie. Free The National Gallery is closed December 24 th-26th, but otherwise open, every day, and it is a brilliant seasonal resource. Apart from the permanent collection, which is free and has never looked better than in the beautifully refurbished and enhanced galleries, there is the stunning Canaletto and […]

As published in today’s Irish Times (20/12/2018) Christy is GSRMA member in Donegal North Sir, – As a former Garda member, I have always advocated that a separate security and intelligence agency is required in this State. The announcement that a new Strategic Threat Analysis Centre (STAC) is being set up is welcome given the […]

As President of the Garda Síochána Retired Members Association, I am privileged to have this opportunity to wish each and every member of our association and their families a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. I wish to take this opportunity to thank our Branch Committees, Central Committee and Office Staff for their […]

Wednesday night 14th. November 2018 was the culmination of the GSRMA Short Story Competition 2018. There was a prize awards ceremony at Skylon Hotel, where winners assembled to hear what the Adjudicators had to say about their respective stories.  This year’s competition was again a huge success with the standard of entries improving all the […]

A new GSRMA Branch has been formed in Athy Co. Kildare. A group of GSRMA members met at Golf Club Athy on Thursday 18th. October 2018, which was attended by General Secretary Paschal Feeney and Vice President Marie Roche. Following discussion, the following were elected as interim office holders. Chairman Tony Timoney; Branch Secretary Vera […]

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2018 Christmas Panto for all the family! This traditional story of friendship and love, mixes magic and adventure with spectacular song, dance routines and magical special effects to entertain all the family!  On a serious note, Beauty and the Beast delivers an underlying life lesson to never judge a person by their […]

As reported today By Daniel McConnell Political Editor Fine Gael has now been in power since March 9, 2011, and just three of its 10 ministers appointed to the Cabinet that day remain at the table — Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney, and newly appointed Communications Minister Richard Bruton. As a result of their years […]

St. Paul’s Garda Credit Union – Oct 2018 Draw winners Ford Mondeo Deirdre O’Brien, Upper Cloghroe, Co. Cork 5 x €1,000 winners Barry Roche, Blackrock Garda Station, Co. Dublin Mrs Noreen Sheehy, Athea, Co. Limerick Denis Hegarty, Upper Glanmire, Co. Cork Leanne Harraghy, Westport Garda Station, Co. Mayo Deborah Gillespie, Tuam, Co. Galway

AS reported in todays media: Garda Commissioner Requests Minister take immediate action against John Barrett Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has asked Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to immediately suspend one of the highest-ranked civilians in the Garda Síochána. The commissioner sought the suspension of John Barrett, the Garda’s head of human resources, following disagreements between him and another senior Garda […]

Disclosures tribunal: Martin Callinan told TD that Maurice McCabe was sex abuser, tribunal finds Charleton finds no evidence Nóirín O’Sullivan played any ‘hand act or part’ in smear campaign The Charleton Tribunal has found that the then Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan told a Dáil deputy in early 2014 that whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe had sexually […]

CARI (Children at Risk Ireland) are seeking VOLUNTEERS for 2018 Award Winning Role of Child & Family Accompaniment Officer in Galway’s Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service  CARI currently NEED VOLUNTEERS to train as:  ACCOMPANIMENT OFFICERS – to accompany and support children and their families, through their forensic medical examination at the Galway CASATS Unit […]

Article from Sunday World by Nicola Tallant on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris’s appointment.  Please see article by clicking on the link bellow. ( PDF Format ) Nicola on Drew  

As published in Sunday Business Post – Sunday 16th. September 2018 Legitimate Questions The arrival of Commissioner Drew Harris has been somewhat of a media fest. He has conducted himself very competently as one would expect from a senior British police officer. Indeed he and his family have been wished well from all sides including […]

Garda Commissioner’s medals Sir, – While warmly wishing Garda Commissioner Drew Harris every success in his new appointment and welcoming him to the challenge he embraces, I would seriously question one decision he obviously gave thought to. It is the accepted norm to wear medals and decorations awarded by the state that one serves on […]

‘I’m motivated. I’m here to protect the people of Ireland,’ says Harris Garda Commissioner Drew Harris believes some of the commentary around him joining the force from the PSNI has been personal and that his job now is to “protect the people of Ireland”. Speaking to reporters at Garda Headquarters in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Mr […]

Many issues were brought up but new commissioner dealt with them Sitting alone at a small table in the plush officers’ club inside Garda Headquarters in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, new Garda Commissioner Drew Harris faced the media. He emerged 40 minutes later in good order. Not one glove was laid on him and at no […]

Scams to be aware of and not be caught as report in todays Irish Times  by Conor Pope While the name might be new, the “Dubai broadband scam” comes with wearyingly familiar echoes of the activities of international criminals who have been targeting vulnerable people in similar operations for many years. In the latest account […]

  As published in todays Irish Times.  Be vigilant and be aware Gardaí have issued a warning to the public about a “Dubai broadband scam” in which a Limerick pensioner was duped out of €10,000 by fraudsters. The scam is organised through phone contact with the victim, making it harder to detect the exact location […]

Editorial Comment Autumn 2018 The appointment of a new Garda Commissioner was eagerly awaited by many onlookers in Ireland not least within the serving ranks of An Garda Siochana but also to those of us in retirement. We all know the force has experienced very difficult times over the past number of years with one […]

I have been reminded, by our colleague in Cork Willie Gleeson, to the fact that the Government proposes to change the qualifying criteria in 2020 for the State Contributory Pension from the Yearly Average to the Total Contribution Approach (TCA). The result of this will have a major negative effect on many of our members […]

A little boy who is battling leukaemia received thousands of cards from all over the world yesterday after his mother posted about his birthday on Facebook. A convoy of Garda cars also called to Fionn Doyle’s home in Kildorrery, north Cork along with a fire engine to help celebrate his seventh birthday. Fionn was diagnosed […]

From today’s Irish Times Fifteen Gardaí underwent counselling after they responded to a violent murder in Co Cork earlier this year, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said. The GRA has called for such services to be made available to members of the force who attend crime scenes after it emerged that the officers had […]

Garda Siochana Retired members’ Association (GSRMA) wish them well in their fund raising Charity Cycle. Well done one and all. Garda Deputy Commissioner John O’Driscoll; Deputy French Ambassador Lionel Paradisi Coulouma; Supt John Gordon, Kevin St; Mary O’Doherty, of Down Syndrome Ireland; and Aaron Duignan (10), from Ratoath, Co Meath, were at the Residence of […]

MUCH debate has taken place on the various perspectives surrounding the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to our shores. The discussions have mainly centred on who he will meet, who he should meet, ticket allocation, venues, travelling and traffic arrangements. But ensuring the safety and security of the pontiff is a vital element of the […]

By Sarah Bardon from todays Irish Times. Sinn Féin has begun a review of its local authority structures in response to the departure of a number of councillors from the party. A total of 37 representatives have either vacated their seats or left Sinn Féin in the past 18 months. Ten left for personal reasons, […]

Flanagan introducing law to replace poor box system with sanctions and probation by  Marie O’Halloran from todays Irish Times Defendants have paid almost €7.5 million in fines to court poor boxes since 2014 instead of receiving a criminal conviction, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has confirmed.Mr Flanagan who had previously informed the Dáil of his […]

Dublin City Council’s concerns over Military Road transport plans discounted by Olivia Kelly from todays Irish Times Plans for a new €80 million Garda command and control centre on Military Road in Dublin have been approved by the Office of Public Works (OPW) more than two years after they were first proposed. The six-storey complex […]

As published in Irish Independent Tuesday 7th. August 2018 ■ I am delighted to see that RTÉ One (tonight, 9.35pm) will show a documentary on John Hume. In my opinion John, without anything in either hand, did more to bring about peace in Northern Ireland than many of the much lauded others with one thing […]

From Irish Examiner;  How often have we heard and read of this type of scenario when dealing with our members injured on duty.When will the scandal of having to wait 10 to 15 years for your claim to be settled by the State. Former inter-county hurler and garda, Aidan Flanagan, was awarded €1.16m for a […]

GSRMA send their condolences to the family of Tommy peoples on his passing last Sunday.  Tommy was a member of An Garda Siochana for a period and served in Limerick. May ne rest in peace.   Tommy Peoples, the Donegal fiddler who won acclaim with The Bothy Band, has died aged 70. Mr Peoples was born into […]

Salaries for nurses and midwives remain competitive, according to spending review by Martin Wall in todays Irish Times There has been no mass exodus of nursing staff from the health system, the Government’s spending review argues. It also maintains that pay for nurses and midwives in the State is competitive. The document, drawn up by […]

Policing operations and the justice system will come under significant pressure in the years ahead unless the Government moves to reduce legal aid payments and Garda overtime rates, a series of expenditure reports warn. The warnings are contained in two reports by the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service (IGEES) into expenditure in the justice system. […]

A garda has said he expected to die when a woman, who was high on crack cocaine, accelerated away as he was attempting to seize her vehicle. Garda Thomas Gallagher (39) read his victim impact statement during the sentence hearing of Christina Joyce (30), who was jailed for 4½ years. He said he felt he […]

From todays Irish Independent by Christy Galligan What we saw last week in Belfast and Derry is a result of the vacuum created by the two major parties with no Stormont assembly. They must take responsibility for leaving their communities vulnerable to sectarian attacks by thugs who pretend to care. The recent spate of attacks […]

The Chief Justice has issued a “cry” for great clarity and simplicity in new laws, saying the intentions of lawmakers in both Europe and Leinster House are sometimes difficult to make out from the legislation they pass. Speaking at the launch of the Courts Service annual report, Mr Justice Frank Clarke said this applied particularly […]

A public-interest investigation into the accidental discharge of a Garda weapon during a raid on a private residence was “not warranted”, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) has said. The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) assisted the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) on November 8th last in searching 24 homes as part of an operation targeting organised […]

Gardaí will only be given access to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court on condition that strong internal mechanisms for resolving disputes are first put in place within An Garda Síochána, the Cabinet has been told. Minister for Business and Enterprise Heather Humphreys warned the Government last week that without such provisions […]

A garda, who stared death in the face when a shotgun pointed and fired at him failed to discharge, was today awarded €250,000 compensation in the High Court. Mr Justice Michael Twomey, who deals with garda compensation cases, was told that the now retired garda, Patrick Kavanagh, of Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co Dublin, was awarded […]

Well in case there was any doubt there will be no General Election until the Dáil resumes. These guys will be paid for the long recess, so absolutely no question of General Election unless some unforeseen mystery unfurls during this silly season. Dáil Éireann resumes 2pm Tuesday 18th. September 2018 On the last day of […]

Stepaside Garda station is poised to reopen as a modular Garda station, under plans being considered by the Office of Public Works (OPW). The Irish Times understands four options have been presented as part of the Government commitment to reopen the station. However, the OPW and An Garda Síochána are understood to favour the establishment of […]

GSOC were quick off the mark yesterday to launch an investigation into the incident which resulted in an official firearm being lost from a garda vehicle. In launching their investigation it appears from media reports that they have already made up their minds. This is nothing new to GSOC of course. We are all aware […]

TRANSPORT Minister Shane Ross has signalled a clampdown on excessive legal fees will follow his crusade to reform the way judges are appointed. Transport Minister Shane Ross with Chief Supt Aidan Reid and Moyagh Murdock of the road Safety Authority last week.Amid bitter political fights with legal eagles in Leinster House, Mr Ross has warned […]

A MEMBER of An Garda Síochána has for the first time in history addressed the United Nations general Assembly. Assistant Garda Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan, the nation’s top security and intelligence expert, was speaking on the topic of counter-terrorism. He called for measures to combat terrorist threats to involve all elements of counter-intelligence. Mr O’Sullivan told […]

From Sunday Independent – Sunday 8th. July 2018 – what a joke. Will Ross be bullied off his perch? SHAFTED by Shatter (Alan). Mugged by Mullen (Ronan). Jilted by Jim (O’Callaghan). Battered by Bacik (Ivana) and murdered by Michael (McDowell). All in the space of a political week. Happily I was wearing a flak jacket. […]

Valiant Gardaí Jerry McCabe and Ben O’Sullivan made honorary freemen of Limerick TWO HEROES were conferred with the prestigious Honorary Freedom of Limerick accolade at City Hall this Thursday evening—the late Det Gda Jerry McCabe and retired Detective Gda Ben O’Sullivan. On June 7, 1996, Jerry McCabe was murdered by an IRA gang in Adare […]

GSRMA House announce the election of its New President Matt Givens Nenagh Branch for the period 2018 to 2021. Matt Givens pictured receiving his chain of Office from outgoing President Matt Cosgrave.   As one Matt takes over from another we wish them both the best for the future.   The new Central Committee meet […]

As published in Irish Independent – Author Christy Galligan {Donegal North Branch} What type of society are we when we can condemn mothers like Vicky Phelan to death because State apparatchiks hide the truth from them? The hierarchy within the HSE is one of those, it’s out of control and using taxpayers’ money to defend […]

As published in Clare Champion newspaper – author Carol Byrne THE parents of a new-born baby who received emergency intervention at Ennis Garda Station last week have told The Clare Champion that they want the Gardaí to know how “eternally grateful” they are. As Amanda Carmody and Michael Coughlin sit comfortably in their living room, […]

3C Services. 42 Newcourt Road. Bray. Co. Wicklow.   Mobile: 086.4640085 E-Mail: tconway3c@gmail.com ×         Interview Preparation ×         Witness Preparation ×         Mediation & Conflict Resolution ×         Training and Inquiry Needs   @ConwayCareConsultancy   To: Friends/Former Colleagues.           Reference         :             Interview Preparation. Following a career of over forty years in An Garda Síochána, I have […]

the Gardai in Kerry are hosting a black tie Garda ball on Friday the 13th of April in the Killarney oaks hotel in Killarney.  The last dress dance held in Kerry was in 1992, 26 years ago so we would hope members that used attend them before will attend this one. please find poster attached […]

Please find Halligan Winter Notice attached providing some tips to help prevent claims for this impending cold snap.  File in PDF Format WinterNoticeGSRMA  

A group of friends and colleagues who are organising a Benefit function in Westmanstown Sports Centre on the 13th of April 2018 in aid of Con Dennehy. Con is a retired member of An Garda Siochana, 20538K , and GSRMA member Dublin West Branch . Con lives with his wife Marie and two daughters Kate, […]

SINN Féin president-elect Mary Lou McDonald has been told to spend her time dealing with “dark and sinister elements” in her party rather than attending commemoration events linked to the IRA. Ms McDonald is facing criticism from Unionists and Fine Gael for attending a wreath-laying ceremony in Castlewellan, Co Down last weekend. The event commemorated […]

TRYING to make changes to the State pension system is like trying to play whack-a-mole. The arcade game sees players use a mallet to hit toy moles that appear at random. Every time one mole is dealt with, another appears. Changing the State pension to rid it of anomalies is similar. If you eradicate one […]

A MEMBER of the Pensions Authority has raised the prospect of the State pension being scrapped when a new national scheme is rolled out. Leo Varadkar has said that the first members of the new national scheme will be enrolled in 2021. Photo: Caroline Quinn In a new report, Fionnuala Ryan said the Government could […]

HOPEFULLY the coming year will see the appointment of a new Garda commissioner to lead and manage the force into the next decade and beyond. The speculation by self-appointed and mostly unqualified police analysts will be intense, all espousing their views as to whether the new incumbent should be a so-called ‘outsider’, ‘insider’, ‘civilian’ or […]

The many controversies surrounding the Garda Síochána have not shaken the public’s belief in its essential role, according to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland chairwoman Kathleen O’Toole. “We have received numerous complaints, but just as many compliments about the work of the gardaí,” Ms O’Toole said at a public consultation in […]

IT WILL be years before pensioners hit by an anomaly in the system see any of the money deducted from their State payments since 2012. Around 42,000 people, mainly women, are missing out on up to €35 a week because they took time away from the workforce for a period prior to 1994. A campaign […]

Did you or anyone else actually think it was otherwise?  Sinners only interested in everyone else’s business how dare anyone enquire into their sordid business. A Sinn Fein TD struck a secret deal with the party which allows him to draw down his entire Dail salary, the Herald can reveal. Dublin North West deputy Dessie […]

FRAUDSTERS making false car insurance claims are getting away with it because they are not being prosecuted, a leading judicial figure said. Former High Court president Nicholas Kearns warned Ireland has a huge problem with fraudulent motor claims, and there appeared to be no punishment for lying in court. Meanwhile, insurers have been accused of […]

‘HE who controls the past controls the future.” There is a great deal of truth in this observation made by the novelist George Orwell. Gerry and his 2 best girls smile through it all – nothing got to do with us!!! Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald […]

Political Comment from today’s Irish Independent – No change same old arrogance NEXT month, Mary Lou McDonald will be installed as the new leader of Sinn Féin, replacing a president who has held office for more than 34 full years. We had grown used to Gerry Adams’s carping about media agendas. He has done a […]

HERE’S a newsflash just in: Barry ‘Loaf on the Loaf ’ McElduff will not be able to vote for Mary Lou McDonald as new Sinn Féin leader because he has been suspended from all party activities for three months. Sinn Féin’s Northern Ireland leader Michelle O’Neill, party president Gerry Adams, and deputy leader Mary Lou […]

Gardaí sought guidance from department on legal strategy as reported by Pat Leahy in today’s Irish Times The revelation at the Charleton tribunal this week that the Garda legal team sought guidance from the Department of Justice about the strategy it employed towards the Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe contradicts many of the statements made by […]

Reports followed Wallace’s allegation about recording of McCabe’s meeting with officers as reported by Conor Lally in today’s Irish Times Two Garda officers who it was alleged were attempting to give misleading information to damage Sgt Maurice McCabe at the O’Higgins commission are taking legal action against several media outlets. Supt Noel Cunningham and Sgt […]

‘We are on the brink. We just have a few procedural issues to iron out’ as reported in today’s Irish Independent by Niall O’Connor THE country’s 45 Garda chief superintendents are today preparing to join their junior counterparts and embark on industrial action, the Irish Independent understands. The move will mean that for the first […]

As reported in today’s Irish Independent by Charlie Weston IT IS high time that we accepted that the word ‘pension’ is toxic. That has long been suspected. So could it be that using a different word would get more people to take out a plan to pay for their retirement from work? New research commissioned […]

Just a sample of what Sinn Fein deem appropriate punishment for one of its own members…………… SINN Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald’s credibility is in tatters after she launched a bizarre attack on RTÉ and staunchly defended her party’s approach to disgraced MP Barry McElduff. The party leader-in-waiting sparked fury as she broke her silence on […]

Rightly so – poor Gerry and he on the way out…………. SINN Féin leader Gerry Adams has had a complaint against the Irish Independent rejected by the Press Ombudsman. Mr Adams had claimed a front-page article published on September 1 last, in relation to the IRA killers of Co Louth farmer Tom Oliver, had breached […]

Superintendents won’t accept extra work SENIOR Garda officers have taken the unprecedented step of industrial action in a move that has caused the public sector pay row to resurface. The organisation representing Garda superintendents has told Garda management that its members will not take on any additional duties from today, as other senior Gardaí  consider following […]

Ah poor man going about his profession – I think they are called career criminals — what a kick in………… A BURGLAR who injured his scrotum in a botched raid is taking legal action against the store for injuries, the shop owner has claimed. Kevin Victory, who runs the Centra in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, said […]

MAJOR funds will have to be set aside to tackle the hole in the country’s pension pot or the long-term consequences will be huge, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said ‘the safety net for the majority of workers can’t simply be the State pension’He has admitted the Government needs to […]

AN INTERNATIONAL credit ratings agency has questioned Central Bank claims that most of the tracker overcharging cases have been identified. The Central Bank said in December that 33,700 tracker overpayment cases have emerged, and this was the majority of cases. But ratings agency DBRS said there was uncertainty about the total number of cases, and […]

As reported in todays Irish Insependent PLANS to ‘name and shame’ drivers disqualified by the courts have been delayed due to data protection issues. Transport Minister Shane Ross said “privacy issues” had arisen in relation to plans to publish a list of drivers disqualified by the courts, but he insisted he still planned to introduce […]

A GARDA has won two first-class commendations for showing “exceptional courage and bravery” for his role in dealing with two separate incidents on successive days. Garda Bob Fitzsimons tackled an armed raider with the help of a reserve garda, Mark Spain, and arrested him at the scene in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on September 8, 2012. […]

This is what Gardai do best. Protect all in our Society, very man woman, no matter what walk of life – even Politicians, those most critical of the culture of An Garda Siochana.  No great utterances from those detractors this morning, after the showpiece of Medal Awards at Garda College in Templemore yesterday.  Gardaí killed […]

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, has announced the appointment of our CEO, Claire Byrne to the Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC). CUAC is a statutory committee operating under the Dept. of Finance and is established to advise the Minister on certain Credit Union related matters. This is a prestigious appointment for Claire and for […]

Retirement – Opinion from todays Irish Times The decision to allow many public servants to work until they are 70 is appropriate, given extended lifespans and changes in the State pension rules. However, it is essential that this is properly managed and that there is flexibility for the State as employer, as well as the […]

by Martin Wall Irish Times A decision to raise the mandatory retirement age for public service staff from 65 to 70 has been broadly welcomed by advocates for older people. However, there was concern that private sector workers could be left behind in retirement income and earning potential unless a similar opportunity to work longer […]

Top official defends failure to disclose emails about Garda strategy on McCabe as reported in todays Irish Times by Simon Carswell The Department of Justice’s most senior official has defended its failure to disclose emails that showed it was aware of a Garda strategy in 2015 to undermine whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe until last month. […]

6 Dec 2017 Irish Independent Kevin Doyle Group Political Editor – THE compulsory retirement age for public sector workers is to rise to 70 under plans to be announced today, the Irish Independent understands. Workers will be allowed to retain their jobs for five years longer than is currently the case in a bid to […]

As reported in todays Irish Times by:  Fiach Kelly The representative body for senior civil servants has said its members will not be subjected to a “witch-hunt” for the sake of political expediency. The Association of Higher and Civil Public Servants also said its members will not be “scapegoated” over failings in the Department of […]

Article in todays Irish Independent by Daniel Denison is professor of management and organisation at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) IN THE aftermath of Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s retirement, it’s important for An Garda Síochána to pay attention to the Garda culture if it is to retrieve its reputation in the coming years. […]

PRESSURE has intensified on the Government to urgently amend the State’s pension rules, which have left thousands of women out of pocket and been the subject of days of political controversy. The Government yesterday suffered a series of embarrassing Dáil defeats, most notably on a Fianna Fáil motion that proposes an end to the pension […]

Another classic example of what you can shout about and demand when in Opposition, but behind the gates of Merrion Street, impossible to achieve in Irish Financial Law. The Central Bank was likened to the “dog that doesn’t bark” at the Oireachtas finance committee yesterday over its approach to 11 banks which wrongly took customers […]

Article by Conor Pope in todays Irish Times – Governor says banks tend to seek profitability to detriment of customers The prospect of Irish banks facing criminal proceedings after wrongly forcing more than 20,000 homeowners off tracker mortgages was raised by the Central Bank yesterday. However, after it was raised by the bank at the […]

FF says women losing out on payments due to ‘bonkers and unbelievable’ anomaly The Government needs to set out a “roadmap” to deal with an anomaly in the pension scheme that sees thousands of women losing out on payments, Fianna Fáil has said. The call from the main Opposition party, whose abstention is needed to pass the […]

Minister’s plans on ‘more appropriate accommodation’, sugar and Brexit decoded Corrosive crisis “I am very aware of the corrosive impact on Irish society of homelessness. I am also aware that many people living in the private rented sector wish to find more appropriate accommodation or move to their own home, but at the moment cannot […]

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from ‘The Irish Times’ business desk Budget 2018 spread the jam thinly. The winners are middle-income earners, writes Eoin Burke-Kennedy. The losers are sun-bed loving smokers with a taste for sugary drinks, writes Conor Pope. The big news for business was the new rate of stamp duty of 6 per cent now applicable […]

BUDGET 2018 Most of the changes were well flagged. I will deal with the ones affecting income first. Income Tax The point at which the higher rate of tax comes into effect will rise next year by €750 per annum for a single person and a married couple with one income earner. 2017 2018 Rate Band- Single […]

Budget 2018: The key points Updated / Tuesday, 10 Oct 2017 16:22 A summary of the budget details announced by Minister Paschal Donohoe Housing A total of €1.83 billion has been allocated to housing in Budget 2018, with 3,800 new social houses to be built by local authorities and approved housing bodies. The Housing Assistance Payment Scheme will increase by €149m, enabling an additional […]

Ian Bailey should have lost all grounds of his appeal over the dismissal of his damages case over the conduct of the Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, the State has argued. Martin Giblin SC, for Mr Bailey, said it was not clear if this was “a general whinge” by the […]

Margaret Heneghan’s early departure causes headache for busy court Senior judge Margaret Heneghan has resigned unexpectedly from the bench after only two years in the High Court. It is unusual for judges to step down before the mandatory retirement age of 70 which is when they receive their full pension. She is married to successful businessman Austin […]

300 senior officers expected at two-day Garda ‘think-tank’ More than 300 senior Gardaí from across the country are expected to attend a two-day Garda “think-tank” on Thursday and Friday which will examine the future of the Garda in light of recent controversies. The conference which is entitled “An invitation to a conversation” will discuss the […]

This article first appeared in the Irish Examiner. AIB will not pay a cent in corporation tax for more than 20 years, despite making €814m profit in the first half of this year, writes Daniel McConnell. The situation was branded “an absolute disgrace” by Pearse Doherty of Sinn Féin, who was questioning AIB bosses at the Oireachtas […]

Opinion from todays Irish Independent: THERE are few if any upsides to Brexit for Ireland. But one small potential silver lining to that dark cloud is that we could become an attractive location for high-calibre jobs leaving Britain and seeking another EU location. The IDA, which did very good work attracting inward investment in the […]

Taoiseach’s pay due to jump by €21,000 over next three years TDs to get salary rises worth more than €3,600 Finance Minister considering delaying the increase GSRMA members due €780.00 or €65.00 per month. – Justice No I don’t think so. Reality since 2012 TD’s & Senators due not classify themselves as Public Servants when […]

A €3.6m IT system to help manage applications to the Insolvency Service of Ireland is expected to be scrapped just six years after it was introduced. A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General detailed how there were “significant functional gaps” in the system and was critical of the manner in which it was introduced. […]

The amount of money being used to pay confidential informants has increased by 33pc in the last five years. Last year almost €700,000 was spent by the Secret Service, which is used to pay monetary expenses to Garda informants. The section is maintained by both the crime and security branch of the Garda and the […]

Crime rates in Stepaside dropped “significantly” in the period leading up to a Cabinet decision to reopen the local Garda station, the Irish Independent can reveal. A review of 78 towns nationwide by Garda management singled out the station in Transport Minister Shane Ross’s constituency on the grounds of population growth. The controversial report, seen […]

Employment and Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has admitted she couldn’t live on the dole. Speaking to an audience at the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed’s headquarters, she said she was determined to make sure the social welfare system is as fair as possible. She said she would do this “whilst recognising that people […]

Gardaí will escape the sanction of having their pensions docked if they take part in industrial action. A new report has cast legal doubt over the key recommendation made in a major report published just weeks after Gardaí threatened an unprecedented strike last year. Former Labour Court chairman John Horgan said Gardaí should lose their […]

Garda associations should not have same status as unions, says Government study Fiach Kelly, Martin Wall, from Irish Times 26th. September 2017 Gardaí should not be allowed go on strike and new measures should be put in place to stop lower-level industrial action affecting its “essential services”, a Government-commissioned report has urged. It says Garda […]

Gardaí who know the names of colleagues who inflated breath testing data can supply that information for investigation, acting Garda Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin has said. His suggestion comes amid a worsening internal dispute between the Garda ranks over who is to blame for the inflating of breath test figures by almost 1.5 million. Allegations […]

The role, if any, the Garda College, Templemore, will play in Irish policing in future is under review by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, it has emerged. Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and acting Garda Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin yesterday confirmed the college’s future formed part of the commission’s review process. […]

Proposals to increase the Garda commissioner’s salary to €300,000 will result in the judiciary and senior civil servants also demanding higher pay, the Government has been warned. The “ripple effect” would then continue across all grades, Labour leader Brendan Howlin said. He cautioned the Cabinet to rethink proposals to offer a salary higher than that […]

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan was speaking at a passing out ceremony in Templemore Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan warned that he wants to see “all the skeletons out of all of the cupboards” in terms of Garda scandals and controversies. His warning came as Acting Garda Commissioner Donal O’Cualain and Deputy Commissioner John Twomey confirmed that […]

Letter from today’s – Letters to Editor 20th Sept 2017 – Irish Independent. I was at an incident in my sister’s house last weekend when she had to take the very drastic action and call the guards as her son has a drug habit. As a result of this he had become paranoid and aggressive […]

Middle-income earners have been warned that tax changes in the Budget are likely to leave them with less than €4 extra a week. Tax experts warned workers not to expect any more than the price of a pint from measures introduced by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. They could get even less if the minister opts for […]

Long before taking over from Enda Kenny as leader of the country, Leo Varadkar effectively began the final move against then Garda commissioner Martin Callinan. In March 2014, Varadkar urged Callinan to withdraw his labelling of the actions of Garda whistleblowers as “disgusting”, saying they had acted in a “distinguished” manner. It put Callinan on […]

Ibec backs Fine Gael in row with Fianna Fáil over ‘best use’ of budget resources Pat Leahy MARIE O’HALLORAN Fianna Fáil has said that plans for income tax reductions in Budget 2018, flagged earlier this week by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, should not go ahead and warned Fine Gael that it must stick by the confidence-and-supply […]

Members of the executive council of the body representing rank-and-file gardaí have demanded to be told the identity of the senior officers who briefed the association’s spokesman prior to last week’s “car crash” television interview about the breath test scandal. Gardaí reacted with shock and fury after Garda Representative Association (GRA) spokesman John O’Keeffe told […]

1A Garda has been hailed a hero after helping to prevent a late-night tragedy from taking place in the north-west. Garda Padraic Deery dived into the Garavogue river in Sligo after a woman was seen being swept a few hundred metres by fast tides. Gda Deery managed to reach the woman and with the assistance […]

Article written by GSRMA member Michael Carty (Roscommon Branch) WHEN Nóirín O’Sullivan announced her retirement as Garda commissioner after 36 years’ distinguished service to the citizens of this State, a cohort of politicians, commentators and self-styled experts on policing welcomed her departure proclaiming that all our policing problems are over. These are the same people […]

All this talk of an international head-hunt for a new Garda commissioner seems to equate it to getting Jack Charlton or Giovanni Trapattoni to manage a struggling Irish soccer team. The candidate would occupy a sensitive and key role in our State’s security apparatus, in a world where our interests might not coincide with those […]

15th – 18th October 2017 Final Week to Book! €350 per person sharing 3 Nights Killarney, Co Kerry, 4 star luxurious Lake Hotel.  Would you like to visit Killarney this Autumn, meet some new friends, explore the Ring of Kerry, and stay in a luxurious four star hotel, ideally situated right on the lakeshore of […]

Amazing RTE it appears do not like Whistleblowers from within their OWN Fold.  No real revealations when you come to think about it. RTÉ has said it will “hold to account” the anonymous Twitter user who has been severely criticising the broadcaster’s culture and practices. The social-media account @rtesecretpro first appeared on Twitter on September […]

The crises around inflated breath tests, the wrongful conviction of motorists and financial governance at the Garda College in Templemore all stalked the last days of Nóirín O’Sullivan as Garda commissioner. There was a sense her approach towards them was led by damage limitation rather than admitting problems publicly at the earliest opportunity and then […]

Not enough gardaí have embraced need for change, says Taoiseach SARAH BARDON Political Reporter Any members of the Garda involved in inflating checks for drink-drivers, including senior officers, should face action, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday. The Taoiseach believed not enough members of the force accepted the Garda had to change. “I’m not satisfied there’s […]

 Two (2) Letters of today (14th. September 2017) in Irish Independent  – the first from one of our own GSRMA Members, Tony Fagan, Wexford Branch GSRMA.  Well written and well presented Tony. Sure Mary Lou has all the answers – not too fond of answering the real questions put to her, or her party. I […]

Separately on Thursday, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) representing rank-and-file Gardaí said it would urge its 10,400 members to accept the proposed new agreement in a forthcoming ballot. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, about 250,000 State employees will receive pay improvements of between 6.2 per cent and 7.4 per cent over three years. […]

A report by the Policing Authority has strongly criticised the gardaí for failing to implement recommendations from the Garda Inspectorate to change policing in Ireland. The report found that most of the recommendations the gardaí said had been completed had in fact not been completed, and that out of the 50 the gardaí claimed had […]

Rank-and-file gardai have blamed the scandal of 1.5 million bogus breath tests on the force’s management. In a hard-hitting response to the controversy, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said no one can categorically say that the false numbers were only concocted by uniformed and low-ranking officers. The organisation said the demands for data on drink-driving […]

The Teachers Union of Ireland has rejected the new public service pay agreement. It’s members voted tonight by a margin of 87% to 13% in a national ballot, with a turnout of 52% recorded. The Irish National Teachers Organisation have already rejected the deal, while the ASTI are set to vote in October. In a […]

Sir, – I am more than a little surprised at the suggestion Ireland’s police head should be paid the same as the head of the Metropolitan Police in London: roughly €300,000 a year (“State could offer salary of €300,000 to attract Garda chief”, News, September 12th). London is vastly larger by population than Ireland, is […]

In her resignation ( should of course read retirement statement) statement, on Sunday, Nóirín O’Sullivan lamented that the job she was leaving had essentially become about “responding to an unending cycle of requests, questions, instructions and public hearings”. O’Sullivan listed some of the oversight bodies she had to engage with during her time as Garda […]

The Government has asked the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland to fast-track its recommendations on Garda reform in response to the resignation of the Garda commissioner. Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will today brief his Cabinet colleagues on the departure of Nóirín O’Sullivan. He will outline the process to find a replacement […]

Garda Commissioner’s resignation Sir, – There is a detectable and understandable frustration in Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s resignation statement, especially in her expression of not being able to carry out her core policing job due to the demands of the unending cycle of investigations and inquiries. Unfortunately, some of these “investigators” saw a populist godsend […]

  Denis Bradley, writing in todays Irish Times (12th. September 2017) Denis Bradley is a journalist and former vice-chairman of the police board for the Police Service of Northern Ireland The first woman Garda commissioner has walked or been driven from the field of play. Shame! I have no idea if she was a good […]

Nóirín O’Sullivan has stepped down as Garda commissioner after 3½ years of incessant pressure. And now it really gets interesting. Who will replace her? Who would want the job? And can anyone reform the Garda in one commissionership? Indeed, can anyone reform the Garda full stop? When news broke that she was stepping down, there […]

Nóirín O’Sullivan should have been a fire-fighter instead of Garda commissioner, according to some members of the force. “We were just saying the other day, she should have been a fireman because all she does is try to put out fires,” one Dublin garda joked. For many rank-and-file Gardaí, this is how the former commissioner […]

Solution :  Larger Salary and person selected from outside the fold.  Magic.!!! An outsider might be best- placed to replace Nóirín O’Sullivan as Garda commissioner, Northern Ireland’s former police ombudsman has said. Baroness Nuala O’Loan, who was ombudsman from 1999-2007, said a candidate from outside the force would have a “better opportunity in doing the […]

Opinion divided on whether Garda should retain security remit An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces as to whether, under such circumstances, responsibility for national security should remain with the police. There are divergent views between what might be described, broadly, as traditionalists and modernisers. The latter group argues that, irrespective of the nationality of […]

From todays Irish Times (12th. September 2017): During the summer a senior Government TD made an appearance on a national radio show in the midst of another week of controversy surrounding An Garda Síochána. Usually TDs or Senators are given some form of guidance from above on how to react when various topics are raised. […]

Increasing salary suggests attempt to interest strong international candidates The Government believes the remuneration for the new Garda commissioner will need to be increased to about €300,000 to attract strong international candidates. Government sources say an increase from the current salary of €180,000 is on the table to attract external applicants, such as senior civil […]

The union representing 18,000 secondary teachers is recommending members reject the new public service pay deal. Members of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (Asti) will be balloted on the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 in the coming weeks. Meeting on Saturday, the 180 members of the union’s executive council said one of the […]

Dónall Ó Cualáin has become acting Garda Commissioner. From Carna, he speaks fluent Irish and has served as sergeant in the Aran Islands before rising through the ranks as inspector, superintendant and chief superintendent over the Galway division. He was central to a crackdown on drugs in Galway city. In July 2012 he was appointed […]

In New Ross Garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan, who stepped down at midnight, was described as “an incredible role model for women in this country’’ by Minister for Employment and Social Protection Regina Doherty at the weekend. “I have confidence in her and, not just because of her long sterling record of service to the country […]

Nóirín O’Sullivan was the first woman in the history of the State to hold the post of Garda commissioner. She joined the force in 1981 and her work spanned both operational and administrative areas. Much of her early years involved undercover work investigating major drugs gangs. She was promoted to superintendent in 2000 and served […]

Garda Siochana Retired Members’ Association wish Nóirín O’Sullivan well in her retirement.  This was a decision that I’m sure Nóirín though long and hard about. Already we see many media comments that she has resigned.  Please get it right this lady has retired, not resigned. Nóirín had full service and was entitled to announce her […]

The Garda College Museum has been contacted by a lady seeking a class photograph of the class of November 1970. Her brother Thomas Coyne passed out with that class but left An Garda Síochána after a few years because of illness and unfortunately passed away in 1990 aged only 42. Thomas Nagle was from Ballinrobe […]

The publication of any new crime data for the Republic has been once again postponed because the Garda Síochána has now extended its review into homicide data. The Irish Times understands a long-awaited report detailing how some homicides were not recorded as killings at all and were left out of the crime data over several years […]

Mark O’Neill claims his former colleagues bullied him and failed to investigate crimes A former garda who quit the force after only seven months of service has taken a legal action against the Garda Commissioner for refusing to allow him to rejoin it. Mark O’Neill claims in sworn documents opened in the High Court that his former […]

Two reports have been compiled by Assistant Commissioner Michael ‘Sullivan into the garda breath test and penalty points controversies. We look at the main findings from each as the new information adds to the continued pressure on garda management. Almost 1.5 million bogus breath tests were recorded by Gardaí between June 7, 2009 and April […]

A damning report on the recording of almost 1.5 million bogus breath tests has found the inflation of the data by Garda members “reflects poorly” on the professionalism of the force and is “damaging to public confidence”. Amid renewed calls from Opposition parties for the Garda Commissioner to go, the Government has insisted it still […]

It is now five weeks until budget day, when Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will walk into Leinster House with a briefcase to deliver for the first time his pronouncements on how much of our pay cheque we get to keep. While it’s still uncertain as to exactly what we might see, one thing is […]

The latest exchequer numbers don’t really change the dynamic as we head towards October’s budget. For some time now we’ve known that the carry-over effects of the previous budget combined with the new pay deal would severely limit the scope for tax cuts or spending hikes. The fact that the Government’s own projection for tax […]

Government proposal to taper the PAYE credit would create an effective marginal tax rate of 64.1 per cent on income of between €100,000 and €120,000, a UK independent research institute has warned. It is the first time that the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), an independent micro-economic research institute similar to Ireland’s ESRI, has made […]

Many homes will see increase in liability because of rising property prices The Government’s approach to revising the property tax should be outlined by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe in next month’s budget, Fianna Fáil has said. Michael McGrath, the party’s finance spokesman, has written to Mr Donohoe asking him to outline the Government’s proposals […]

Minister hopeful of ‘scaling up’ plans for permanent accommodation The Government is promising a package of measures in the coming weeks as it seeks to intensify its efforts to deal with the housing crisis. However, Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy would not be drawn yesterday on the elements of the package, saying that to do […]

 The proposal to set up a judicial council comes following pressure from the Council of Europe, which has long called for an independent body with a code of conduct and a system to deal with misconduct by judges in the State. This year, the Council of Europe returned to the issue and was told that […]

  Senior Gardaí have privately hit out at claims by a member of the independent Policing Authority that Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has faced “internal challenges” due to “difficulties with her own team”. The claims were made by former PSNI deputy chief constable Judith Gillespie, who called for Ms O’Sullivan to be given the time […]

Vital cross-Border sharing of policing expertise is going to become extremely difficult post-Brexit, former police chief Judith Gillespie has warned. The former PSNI deputy chief constable, and member of Ireland’s Policing Authority, said Brexit would pose huge challenges. “I think Brexit is going to pose so many challenges for law enforcement – European Arrest Warrants, […]

‘We just want to know who killed him’ – Family of IRA murder victim Tom Oliver still living in fear The man that knows all – pre and post events, but was NEVER involved in paramilitary activity (according to himself) believes justice will not be served by imprisoning the killers of Tom Oliver. Now that’s […]

  Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said he will be looking at Budget measures to support Irish exporters in the face of the looming sterling crisis. Speaking after a meeting with the British Chancellor Philip Hammond in Dublin last night, Mr Donohoe said the dramatic fall-off in the value of sterling against the euro since […]

The Data Protection Commissioner has said the issue of transparency needs to be addressed as public debate continues over the controversial public services card. The Irish Independent revealed today that the card will now be needed for a growing number of benefits, including eligibility checks for new dental and optical benefits being brought on-stream this […]

A Garda was “lucky not to lose an arm” after helping to arrest two men suspected of hijacking a taxi in north Dublin, it has emerged. The officer suffered serious arm injuries after being struck by the vehicle during the arrest in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The incident occurred in Mellowes Crescent, Finglas, […]

Revised date for IPA badge show In 2016 the inaugural International Police Association (IPA) police collectibles swap meeting & display took place in the Garda College. Following this successful event, another show will take place on the 28th of September 2017 in the Recreation Hall, Garda College, Templemore from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Again […]

Garda Commissioner now likely to remain in current position until contract expires in 2021 Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has informed the Government that she will not be standing aside to take up a major role with the European Union’s law enforcement agency, Europol. The Irish Times understands Ms O’Sullivan was in the running for a senior position […]

Garda museum to finally open after months of legal wrangling: GSRMA bring you this news, as many of you have been wondering for so long, if the Museum was ever going to reopen. Now that it is going to happen let’s hope it stays open this time. If you are attempting to track the career […]

This is a letter from todays Irish Times (14th. August 2017) , while not a GSRMA member the sentiments expressed in it are. Sir, – So Siptu is accepting a new wage deal for public workers (Home News, August 10th). Hallelujah! But what about the pensions of the forgotten thousands of retired members? We have […]

The decision by the members of the country’s biggest trade union, Siptu, to vote in favour of the proposed new public sector pay deal by a large majority will come as a huge relief to the Government. The result of the ballot on the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 means that the deal is now […]

Tax returns were strong in the month of June, easing fears of a shortfall for the year as a whole. However, the July figures were again a bit behind target, meaning receipts for the year so far are 0.8 per cent below expectations. This shortfall may well be wiped out by strong self-employed returns in […]

The very obvious difficulties the health service has in recruiting and retaining qualified staff lie at the heart of talks about to get under way between the Department of Public Expenditure, unions representing doctors and nurses, and the public service pay commission. However, the significance of the discussions starting today runs far beyond health. The […]

Gardaí in Cork earn the least amount of overtime pay in the entire country. New figures published by An Garda Síochána show the three Garda divisions in Cork city and county spend proportionately the least of any of the 28 divisions in the country on overtime Cork West recorded the lowest overtime bill last year […]

The Department of Justice and Equality has undertaken to conduct an analysis of the need for a law on perjury, following receipt of a submission from the small and medium-sized business group, Isme. However, Isme’s chief executive, Neil McDonnell, said he was “disappointed” because the department did not appear inclined to support his call for […]

The level of growth of Irish property in previously ultra-tax-efficient funds slowed down in the first quarter of this year, following a clampdown on the use of such vehicles to shield real-estate from the taxman, according to the Department of Finance. Irish fund structures had been widely used in recent years by overseas buyers of […]

Figures released by each department show highest spending by the Department of Foreign Affairs because of international as well as national travel costs. It had bills totalling €848,910, almost half the total cost. Taxis and car hire cost the department €507,201 in 2016 and €341,709 so far this year on travel both in Ireland and […]

Judges claimed almost €942,000 in expenses in the first six months of the year, an increase of more than 20 per cent on the same time last year, new figures from the Courts Service show. The increase is attributed to a rise in the number of judges and an increase in the mileage allowance. Claims […]

Senior officials have raised the prospect of abolishing relief on family homes from capital gains tax when they are sold. The measure is one of a number of options on the reform of capital gains tax put forward by the Department of Finance’s tax strategy group. At present, taxpayers pay capital gains tax at 33 […]

Rural crime now costs €2.4 million a year, with farming victims each losing an average of €4,300, Fianna Fáil spokesman on justice Jim O’Callaghan has claimed. He said a large number of farmers have had machinery and equipment stolen, with gangs “casing’’ rural communities and observing where it was stored before raiding the farm. “This […]

Garda overtime has more than doubled in the past four years from €41.5 million in 2012 to €90.03 million last year, according to newly released figures, The number of overtime hours rose in line with the payments, from just over 1.29 million hours in 2012 up to 2.76 million additional hours in 2016. There was […]

Classic Case of Do as I say not as I do.  Just another example of what our Oireachtas members get up to. Unpaid Dáil bar bills have been written off because there is “no realistic prospect of recovery of the sums due”, according to a report circulated to politicians in recent days. A revised credit […]

The Government intends to increase the State pension in October and every year, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said. Speaking during a briefing to political reporters, Mr Varadkar said he could not “go into any specifics on the budget on tax, on pensions, on welfare, on spending because we just aren’t at that point yet”. “But […]

Inmates serving sentences of eight years or more are entitled to cases reviewed Officials in the Department of Justice are concerned that the State could be facing costly legal action from prisoners whose parole hearings have been delayed.Inmates serving sentences of eight years or more, including those serving life sentences, are entitled to have their […]

GARDA chief Noirin O’Sullivan could be leaving the force after being tipped to take up a new role at Europol. The under-pressure Commissioner is among a number of candidates being considered for a senior position in the area of specialist enforcement, the Sunday Business Post claimed. The job with Europe’s law enforcement agency will become […]

Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne were shot dead on 7 July 1980 Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will today unveil a memorial to two Co Mayo Gardaí who were murdered after a bank robbery in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon in 1980. Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne died after they were […]

GoSafe was paid per hour, and not per detection Details of the fees paid by Gardaí to the private company which operates a system of mobile speed detection cameras have been made public for the first time. GoSafe, which operates 50 speed detection vehicles, was paid €1.2m per month to carry out speed checks under […]

Enjoy Autumn Wonder in The Kingdom  Sunday, 15th October – Wednesday, 18th October 2017 – €350 per person. NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT! Solo Friendly. 3 Nights Killarney, Co Kerry, 4 star luxurious Lake Hotel.  Would you like to visit Killarney this Autumn, meet some new friends, explore the Ring of Kerry, and stay in a luxurious […]

Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) is facing another possible defeat at Europe’s highest court in an eight-year legal marathon over an exam script.In a referral from the Supreme Court, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg has been told by its advocate general that Ireland’s DPC was wrong to say an accountancy trainee had […]

Thousands of secondary teachers who are members of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) have today received salary increases. This follows the union’s vote to suspend its long-running campaign of industrial action last month. Most members have seen their annual salaries increase by between €1,796 and about €2,500. The union’s decision on June 10th […]

The times they are achanging !!!!!!!!!  God be with the days of Good Friday being a closed day, and members going to extreme lengths to make a detection under the Liquor Licensing Laws. What a waste of time it was, but so many did not see it that way. Controversial legislation on the sale of […]

From Irish Times Friday 21st. July 2017: Ministers seeking extra money in the budget for spending programmes must find the cash themselves within their existing allocations, they have been told. Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe yesterday launched his department’s midyear expenditure report which acknowledged emerging spending pressures in the light of tight […]

  Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin has said that current legislation for removing the Garda Commissioner is “awkward and sometimes unworkable”. Nóirín O’Sullivan has been under pressure after a PAC report criticised her delay in telling the Comptroller and Auditor General about financial irregularities at Templemore. While not directly naming her, Brendan Howlin says our […]

DPP decided there is insufficient evidence to charge man over alleged attack A man looks out over the River Liffey from the adjacent boardwalk in Dublin. A victim of an alleged rape and a suspect met by chance on the boardwalk last Saturday afternoon. File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times  Gardaí investigating the alleged false […]

Watchdog’s head says it is ‘unfortunate’ the Garda Commissioner will not be at the event The head of the Policing Authority has said it is “unfortunate” that Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan will miss next week’s meeting of the authority because she is taking extended summer holidays. “It is unfortunate that the commissioner is not available for our […]

Unbelievable story, Government can fund these refunds because of massive under spending right across most Government departments.  FEMPI was recently renewed for yet another year because of the supposed financial difficulties still pertaining in this country! Pension Restoration in FULL would cost far less than this in the Public service, where’s the fairness in this!!!! […]

  The unveiling of this long overdue memorial to the memory of two fallen hero’s John Morley & Henry Byrne shall take place at Shannon’s Cross Loughlynn Co. Roscommon on Friday 28th. July 207 at 2pm. For those attending please be in situ before the event. Erection of a Memorial in memory of Detective John Morley […]

Robert Watt: Many homes will be built in Dublin over next 20 years and should be within M50 Choosing where to build half a million new homes over the coming two decades will be the major challenge facing successive governments, according to Robert Watt, the top civil servant at the Department of Public Expenditure. Mr Watt […]

Editorial Comment from Irish Times 19th. July A stark and damning verdict on the Garda Public Accounts Committee report points to need for far-reaching reform Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan leaving the Public Accounts Committee. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons   Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to Email App The criticism of Garda management contained in the report […]

Health insurers have been accused by their regulator of deliberately targeting younger, healthier consumers and disadvantaging older members. Benefits on plans and the pricing for different products are being used to segment the market. This is where some of the most attractive plans are designed for, and marketed at, younger families who are less likely […]

Minister criticises left-wing politics and policies which could ‘break this country’ The Irish economy is still faced with the threat of overheating and it is critical that dangerous risks are avoided, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said. Speaking at the MacGill Summer School on Tuesday night, the Minister criticised left-wing politics and policies which he said […]

The State and Apple are edging closer to a deal that will see the company pay an alleged figure of €13bn in back taxes, months after an EU deadline. The Government is set to hold around €13bn in back taxes in escrow from Apple, with an invitation to be sent soon to investment managers and […]

Group will advise of new ways to punish Dáil privilege abuse Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the consultation, aimed at producing high-level advice to the Committee on Procedures and Privileges ’will form the basis for making a decision to address the problems that we undoubtedly have’ The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil is to undertake a […]

This will give Minister for Finance & Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe justification for keeping FEMPI in place.  The silly season has start in full swing. Oireachtas is gone on its summer holidays for 3 month. Propaganda about the value of pensions and can the country afford to continue to pay The “old age pension” kicked […]

Colleagues The Alliance of Retired Public Servants have launched their website and its now live. Follow the link below. Also follow in Alliance section of www.gardaretired.com www.arps.ie   Paschal Feeney General Secretary

Congratulations to all winners, but especially our retired members listed below.  3 x Ford Mondeo winners Dermot English, Sundrive Road Garda Station, Dublin 12 Eoin Mullins, Crookstown Garda Station, Co. Cork Feidhlim McKenna, NBCI, Harcourt Square 3 x Hyundai i40 winners Louise Jordan, Henry St. Garda Station, Limerick Retired member – Gerard Murray, Blackrock, Co. […]

As reported by Cliff Taylor in today’s Irish Times What does the summer economic statement tell us about Budget 2018 and what it will mean for the economy and, of course, for our pockets? 1 Budget 2018, to be presented in October, will not provide a major boost to anyone’s income and nor will it allow […]

Primary school teachers are expected to reject the draft public service pay agreement in a ballot due to be completed today, in what would be a significant blow to the Government. The executive of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) – the country’s largest teaching union – has urged its members to oppose the deal […]

Nóirín O’Sullivan and members of An Garda Síochána appearing before the PAC The Garda Commissioner has told the Public Accounts Committee that an internal garda review of the Jobstown case will not include the court process. The matter was raised by Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald, who asked what form the garda review by Assistant […]

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Public Sector Pensions All Written Answers on 11 Jul 2017« Previous answerNext answer » Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) Link to this: Individually | In context To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No.188 of 17 May 2017, the considerations being given to retired public sector […]

  A garda has told EU investigators that he personally viewed documents which point to suspected fraud and potential criminal misconduct involving bank accounts at Templemore College. The serving officer has claimed the files – which date back to 2010 – indicate that EU monies were “misdirected”. In correspondence seen by the Irish Independent, the […]

A major shake-up in how the country’s top judge is appointed has been approved by the Cabinet. In a significant break with the past, an advisory committee will be set up to invite and consider expressions of interest. The committee, made up of Attorney General Seamus Woulfe, Court of Appeal President Sean Ryan and the […]

Budget 2018 will have just €300m for new The scope for expenditure increases and tax cuts in the next budget will be just €300 million, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has indicated. While the official fiscal space for Budget 2018 is €1.2 billion, some €900 million has effectively been spent on the carryover effects of the previous […]

Joe Joyce GSRMA member Donegal South Branch, continues to excel at what he does best. below is extra from recent media coverage from Donegal Daily. Rosses AC’s Joe Joyce was on fire in the M75 section of the Irish Masters in Tullamore and the Ulster Senior Masters in Belfast in the last two weekends. In Tullamore, […]

There should be no mandatory retirement age and all workers should be made to join a pension scheme, the Citizens’ Assembly has recommended. On Sunday, the 99-person forum voted overwhelmingly in favour of abolishing the practice of employers setting an age at which workers must retire, with 86 per cent of members opposing such measures. […]

A CONTROVERSIAL Fair Deal type initiative pension top up scheme – to “claw back” up to €200-a-week from elderly property owners with assets of around €200,000 has been plugged at the Citizens’ Assembly. Dr Micheál Collins, assistant professor of social policy at UCD, told the Assembly – meeting to discuss the challenges and opportunities of […]

Gathering told access to value of home may ease financial struggles for pensioners Freeing up equity from homes and redirecting State funds from private pension tax breaks to public pensions were among the issues discussed by the Citizens Assembly on Saturday. Speaking on the third day of submissions on the topic of Ireland’s ageing population UCD social […]

Ireland had the highest birth rate in the EU last year Ireland had the largest natural rise in population in the European Union in 2016, according to Eurostat figures. The figures revealed that Ireland had the highest birth rate in the union in 2016 and the joint lowest death rate. There were 63,900 live births […]

Varadkar seeks to spend part of €3bn ‘rainy day’ fund on infrastructure Money diverted as first of new policies in 10-year capital-investment programme The Government is to continue to set aside hundreds of millions of euro in a “rainy-day” fund even as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar diverts greater resources towards spending on infrastructural projects. Mr Varadkar and Minister […]

IPA are launching a new IPA Hiking Club on Saturday, 16th September, 2017, in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.  We have a guided hike organised for the morning of the 16th, followed by our first General Meeting later that evening to ratify our club constitution and rules.  The club will be open to all members serving and retired.  […]

Eilis Hession, Wife of Dun Laoghaire Branch Secretary, Eamon Hession and Manager of Services for Older People Lead, from Ireland, has been announced as the winner of the European Kate Granger Award for Compassionate Care 2017. The Award recognises outstanding patient care by individuals currently engaged in the healthcare system. Eilis Hession has worked as […]

So there we have it folks, FEMPI renewed for yet another year. Emergency is over but, the Irish way, just in case we will continue to extract from you as much as we can. All of this against the backdrop of the new Public Sector Pay Deal.  Where are the Public Sectors Unions today, they […]

Below is just a sample of the media comments in the fallout as a result of the acquittal of the Jobstown lot. What is now certain as a result of this protracted trail the notoriety of the few has increased, the trail was used to enhance the political profile of many. The evidence of Gardaí […]

The shortcomings and investigative practices of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) in the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán Fitzpatrick are “completely unacceptable”, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has said. In her first Dáil question time as Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, Ms Fitzgerald sharply criticised the ODCE. “They fell far […]

Leo Varadkar said that Brexit is taking up an ‘enormous amount’ of Government time The Taoiseach has said that with unemployment close to 6%, Government labour policy will increasingly focus on increasing workforce participation. Leo Varadkar made his comments in an address to the National Economic Dialogue at Dublin Castle this morning. Mr Varadkar said […]

At least 379 elderly people have been denied a nursing home place under the fair deal scheme in the past three years. According to the Irish Independent, 117 people were rejected in 2016, many for being regarded as “too well off” and others for being “too healthy” for a nursing home. The figures also show […]

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has rejected European Commission concerns that Ireland’s economy is at risk of overheating, claiming the country will have more jobs than people available to work them next year. Speaking at the National Economic Dialogue conference in Dublin Castle as it emerged an unpublished European Commission report has warned the Government not […]

Vincent O Brien, Letterkenny and John Mc Fadden, Ballyshannon set up a small business providing Interview coaching for new applicants for An Garda Siochana / appointments and promotions within An Garda Siochana. They have also provided Interview coaching for applicants in the public service, County Council, Military, Third level and the private sector. To date they […]

      The Garda Commissioner is set to face questions today over an internal review of homicide figures. At the last policing authority in April, the issue of homicides not being recorded properly was discussed. It emerged that some homicides had been classified as non-serious offences. The issue is set to be discussed when […]

The CSO expects to get updated data in the coming weeks The Central Statistics Office has suspended the publication of quarterly crime statistics because of concerns over the accuracy of homicide figures provided by An Garda Síochána. The crime figures were due to be published today, but have been postponed until the homicide figures can […]

As the “A” Team would say don’t you just love it when a plan does right !!!!! Shane Ross denies having ‘vendetta’ against judiciary Minister for Transport Shane Ross has rejected claims he had a “vendetta” against the judiciary or the legal profession in promoting controversial legislation to change the system of selecting judges. Legislation […]

A key leadership group of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland has voted to recommend rejection of the new public service pay agreement negotiated earlier this month. The decision was made at a meeting of the 23-strong Standing Committee of the union today. The Standing Committee vote, which was not unanimous, is viewed as […]

Peter Kelly has never been shy about making his views know, even if those views tend to put noses out of joint in Leinster House. At a time when there has been a general decline in respect for judges among politicians and the public, the High Court judge remains highly regarded by most observers. His […]

Fintan O’Toole: Nóirín O’Sullivan fluent in Wyssn and Mangleish Obfuscating Garda Commissioner has taken unaccountability to a new level in Ireland Its amazing when Politicians rants and rave for hours on end, and members of the media see no difficulty with it, but when someone gives it back they go into a frenzy and come […]

Diarmaid Ferriter: Wanted – independent civilian Garda chief Irish policing is firmly wedded to politics but it has not been a successful marriage Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan. “Interrogating the commissioner before the Public Accounts Committee has become a political blood sport.” Photograph: Eric Luke If all goes to plan, 2018 will witness the report of […]

Minister says Nóirín O’Sullivan ‘may well have to resign’ Junior Minister John Paul Phelan does not need any Commissions of enquiry or tribunals or Select Committees he has made up his mind and now suggests the Commissioner may have to resign. Is this his own view on has he been the one select by our […]

Garda Commissioner’s testimony is contradicted by two senior civilians in the force The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee is to write to three senior Gardaí to request clarifications on evidence given before the committee. Members agreed to write to Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan, head of human resources John Barrett, and head of legal affairs Ken Ruane as their testimony was contradicted by […]

The countrys largest trade union,Siptu, has urged its members who work for the State to accept the proposed new public service agreement. The union said its national executive had decided to recommend acceptance of the proposals as, on balance, the benefits in the accord such as the protections against outsourcing outweighed the potential for what […]

GSRMA Member Charles Boyle’s daughter in law suffered a septic shock after giving birth which results in the loss of blow flow in her extremities. Family and friends are putting together a charity golf event that will take place in Longford Golf course on the afternoon of Friday the 21st of July. It’s €100 to sponsor […]

The IPA are running a Group trip to New York  in March 2018 and will be marching in the St Patrick’s Day parade. We are flying from Dublin and Shannon on Friday 16th March and returning on Wednesday 21st March.  5 Nights in the Double Tree Hotel in Times Sq. Places are limited and the very […]

Read below this latest escalating of In House fighting between serving Ministers & now former Ministers but still serving in Dáil Éireann – How equitable is our case for simple pension Restoration.  As I have been saying for far too long they have a whole set of rules for themselves. New row over pay top-ups […]

All at GSRMA House congratulate the latest winners in St. Paul’s Garda Credit Union Draw for June 2017, especially our retired colleagues in the list below. Ford Mondeo Retired member John Commons, Claremorris, Co. Mayo  5 x €1,000 winners Retired member Edward Kelly, Cavan, Co. Cavan Retired member Patrick Malone, Templeogue, Dublin 6W David Brandley, […]

This Special Motion was overwhelmingly passed at the adjourned AGM of the Garda Benevolent trust Fund Meeting at Westmanstown on Thursday 22nd. June 2017. Many thanks to all who supported our call and who submitted proxy Votes for the AGM. Notice to GSRMA members who intend to vote at the adjourned AGM of Garda Benevolent Trust […]

Public sector pay deal offers ‘fair’ wage growth, Donohoe says Increased spending on infrastructure a top priority, says Minister for Finance Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe: pay rise of 6-7 per cent between 2018 and 2020 “offers the best way of being fair to our public servants”.The new Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and […]

A dedicated local governance group is the best way to improve the care of our elderly population, the Citizen’s Assembly has been told. Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, consultant physician in geriatric medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital and National Clinical lead for the Older Person’s programme said this would ensure “the right things would happen more quickly”. […]

The new public pay deal will buy the Government another three years of industrial peace. But the pacification of around 300,000 workers in the public sector has come at a cost, and a rather hefty one at that The total price tag lies at €887m up to 2020, and while Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe had claimed […]

For many of us, as parents or Grandparents we are all too familiar with that long road trip, where your passengers of a certain age, are continuously asking “are we there yet”. Our road trip as retired members of An Garda Siochana and retired Public Servants, has now been on-going for almost a decade, and […]

Statement by General Secretary on proposed Public Sector Stability Agreement GRA General Secretary Pat Ennis said, “The Garda Representative Association is deeply disappointed that so-called ‘fast accrual’ pensions were identified to retain pay deductions – as they are paid to compensate workers who face particular dangers in their daily work. “People who risk their lives […]

As retired Public Servants – what it means to us – we have to wait for the Alliance meeting with Government which hopefully will happen next week. From January 1st 2018, public service staff will receive a 1 per cent pay rise with a further 1 per cent increase to follow on October 1st next […]

There will still be money for tax cuts in the next Budget despite a public sector pay deal that will cost €180m next year, incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said. Unions will begin balloting the country’s 250,000 public sector workers in the coming weeks on the proposals, which include regular pay increases until 2020. Nine […]

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland executive committee has voted unanimously to recommend rejection of the proposed public service pay agreement because it fails to tackle pay inequality for newer recruits. The TUI represents around 15,000 second and third level teachers and lecturers. “An unwinding of the unacceptable, unfair and inequitable two-tier pay system was the key […]

GRA says requirement for Gardaí to pay more for pensions ‘deeply disappointing’ Rank-and-file Gardaí have warned they could reject the draft new public service accord agreed on Thursday morning between the Government and trade union leaders. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said it was “deeply disappointed” that under the deal public service staff with fast-accruing pensions – […]

The pay increases in the proposed new public pay deal will use up about one-third of the total room for spending increases and tax cuts in the October budget, as now estimated. However, this is more a reflection of how little room for manoeuvre there is in the budget sums than on the size of […]

  Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) president Joanne Irwin has described the proposed review of two tier pay scales included in the draft public service pay deal as “wholly inadequate”. The pay of new entrants to teaching is a particularly thorny issue because of the large numbers recruited on lower pay scales during the recession, […]

‘Nobody is doing high-fives’ – trade union plays down deal as public servants set for pay boost of up to 10pc Public servant pay deal brokered in the early hours of this morning Deal will cost €880m over next three years Vast majority will get pay rise of over 7pc Public Expenditure Minister welcomes the […]

Draft agreement on public sector pay reached The Government and public service unions have reached agreement on a draft pay agreement which will cost €880 million over the next three years or €1.1 billion over four years. The cost in 2018 will be €180 million. By the end of the agreement, 90% of public servants […]

ALL public servants bar the highest paid may be free of pay cuts imposed during the financial crisis under proposals tabled at talks on a new pay deal. Sources said government officials proposed that workers earning up to €65k would no longer feel the effects of wage reductions rolled out under emergency legislation by 2021 […]

A timely warning shot Budget policy The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC), the independent body established to advise the Government on budget policy, has fired a warning shot ahead of the election of a new Taoiseach and the announcement of a reshaped cabinet. There is no money to try to stimulate economic growth in the […]

Government insisting on greater pension contributions from public service workers Martin Wall Talks adjourned late last night as significant divisions remained between the Government and staff representatives on a new public-service agreement. While no proposals on pay improvements had been formally tabled, it is understood the Government was insisting on greater pension contributions from most […]

Public sector pay talks to intensify in next 48 hours After two weeks of negotiation with little progress, talks between the Government and trade unions on a new public sector pay deal will intensify hugely over the next 48 hours, writes Stephen Rogers. Unusually for pay talks, the Workplace Relations Commission gave the sides the bank […]

INMO calls for additional funds as public service pay talks resume Union negotiators have indicated that they expect the talks to conclude by tomorrow Additional exchequer funding will have to be found to address the recruitment and retention difficulties in the public service, according to the Irish Nurses and midwives Organisation. Speaking as he arrived for […]

Some of the many good news stories about the Gardaí, that the media seldom report on.  Everyday our Gardaí up and down the length and breath of our country are saving lives. Does not warrant media reporting all of the time. Are we surprised? No! I say well done to the many men and women of […]

Major disagreements have arisen on outsourcing and Saturday working   Unions believe that talks on a new public service pay agreement will probably end next Wednesday. However there is still considerable disagreement between the Government and trade unions on key non-pay issues such as outsourcing and Saturday working . Government and union negotiators are expected […]

Pay scales for incoming new recruits to the public sector were reduced by 10% in January 2011 It would cost €209 million a year to give equal pay to public servants recruited since 2011 on lower pay scales, according to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe. In January 2011, during the economic […]

Government  to put forward non-pay related proposals at public service talks The Government is expected to table concrete proposals at the public service pay talks though it is understood they will involve non-pay issues, rather than the key areas of pay and pensions, as the talks enter an eighth day. A number of unions have voiced […]

Heated exchanges at committee on Garda’s handling of financial irregularities at Templemore The civilian head of human resources at An Garda Síochána has described as “extraordinary” a claim that he may have been guilty of a crime for raising concerns about financial irregularities at the Garda training college in Templemore. Testifying at the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (Pac), John Barrett delivered a […]

From todays Irish Times (Wednesday 31st. May 2017), letters to the Editor.  GERRY RYAN, President, Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations is a GSRMA member and member of Thurles Branch. There are many GSRMA members who are members of Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations. Sir, – In the last two months thousands of hectares of our […]

Committee hearing evidence on handling of financial irregularities at Templemore The Public Accounts Committee is hearing evidence on Wednesday from six civilian members of An Garda Síochána in relation to the handling of financial irregularities at the Garda training college at Templemore. The witnesses are: John Barrett is the head of human resources within An Garda Síochána since September 2014. Mr […]

Government expected to table new public sector pay proposals Some unions unhappy at failure of public service managers to get down to specifics Substantive Government proposals for a new public service pay agreement are expected to be tabled to trade unions and staff associations on Wednesday. Talks on a new accord have been underway since […]

REPORT ON SECTION 117 OF THE SUCCESSION ACT 1965   The Report will be formally launched by The Hon. Ms. Justice Marie Baker, Judge of the High Court The Report will be available on www.lawreform.ie from 30th May 2017 My thanks to PatJoe McCarthy for sharing this with me. Some of you may find this of interest.

Talks on a new public service pay agreement have entered their second week On the sixth day of the public service pay talks, the Government has been criticised for again failing to table detailed pay and pension proposals with specific figures included. It is understood that this afternoon, the management reiterated its wish that some […]

Talks on a new public service pay agreement have entered their second week The Government has reiterated that it wants some public servants to pay more for their guaranteed pension benefits as negotiations on a new public service pay agreement talks enter a second week. On day six of the talks, the management side has warned […]

Don’t put your shirt on it Fair play to Arsenal for a well-deserved FA cup final win against the favourites Chelsea. Thankfully the bookies don’t always get it right. On that note, we reckon the odds in favour of a pay deal being concluded and put to ballot have lengthened as we head into the […]

New public service pay deal faces obstacles, union warns Impact says ‘troubling straws in the wind’ have emerged in talks with Government What are the odds on a new agreement being reached between the Government and 300,000 State employees have lengthened, the country’s largest public service trade union has said. In a bulletin to its […]

A row has broken out at the public service pay talks after some unions belonging to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions refused to attend a meeting if the Psychiatric Nurses Association delegation was present. The PNA, which represents 6000 nurses, has chosen not to affiliate to Congress. Sources said the usual practice was that non-Congress […]

Outsourcing could become a stumbling block in public sector pay talks The union representing low-paid civil servants has rejected the Government’s efficiencies “wish list” outlined in the ongoing pay talks and warns there can be no further productivity deals. And one of the items on that wish list — outsourcing — could become a significant […]

Weekly public-private sector pay difference widens to €247 Widening pay gap prompts warning about public sector talks from business lobby group The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) has warned against “unjustifiable” public-sector pay increases following the release of figures that show a widening of the pay gap between the public and private sectors. […]

Please see attached “Online Safety Guide” prepared by IPA Ireland’s Information Technology Consultant, Mr. Matt Makowski.   Keeping in mind the more recent and ongoing worldwide malware attacks this guide contains some very useful information and can also be used for reference.   Matt has asked that all IPA members be made aware of the […]

Garda finance director claimed whistle-blower had committed crime   The Garda’s executive director of finance wrote to Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan claiming the whistle-blower who flagged grave concerns about the Templemore ‘slush fund’ could be guilty of a criminal offence. In an extraordinary letter to Ms O’Sullivan, Michael Culhane urged that she launch an investigation […]

Hi All, Please see email from Deputy Joe Carey with response from Pascal Donoghue in relation to our pension concerns. I don’t think there is anything new in this just confirming what we have heard or read already. Regards Pat Dear Pat, I regret the delay in getting this response to you and your group. […]