Garda chief says Love/Hate reflects policing in Ireland

The popular RTÉ TV drama Love/Hate was positive for the television industry in Ireland and reflected the diverse backgrounds of the men and women in the Garda and the gangland figures they investigate, acting Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan said today.

“I think it’s a very, very good show actually,” she told reporters at an event in Dublin this morning when asked about the series.

“I think it’s very good for Irish television production; it’s very positive in terms of the Irish television industry.”

She added the depiction of the work of gardaí in Love-Hate reflected the diverse backgrounds of people in An Garda Siochana.

“There’s a diverse group both within An Garda Siochana and also in terms of the people we connect with.”

She would not say whether gang leader ‘Nidge’ or any other character was her favourite.

"That's a secret," she said, which was met with laughter from herself and the media. Last year Det Garda Kieran Reilly, who was a member of the Garda National Drugs Unit at the time, starred in the series playing the role of a detective targeting the main drugs gang in the series.

There was disquiet in the senior ranks of the Garda because his TV role so closely mirrored his work in the force and a review was subsequently carried out.

Det Reilly has since moved from drugs to the Garda National Immigration Bureau, though the transfer has never been officially linked to his starring in the show.

Commissioner O’Sullivan declined to be drawn on whether any member of the Garda would appear in the next series, saying it would be unfair to speak publicly about individual members.

“We have very comprehensive policies around the activities that people can engage in, and that members of An Garda Siochana can’t engage in if there’s a potential conflict.

“And obviously if we have a member who’s going to do something we’d have to have a look at that and see where does it come within (those range of activities).”

“I’m not aware that any member has actually been asked (to act in the final series). But I don’t think it’s fair to comment on any specific member.”