Commissioner reminds gardaí to be ‘apolitical’ after photo controversy

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has reminded all gardaí that they must not be associated with any political movement or viewpoint.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said the Commissioner issued the notice following controversy over a recent incident when a garda posed for a photograph with a retired Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness to urge people to register to vote in the forthcoming referendums. The photoshoot was organised by a group supporting a Yes vote for same-sex marriage.

Ms Fitzgerald said the pictures were taken in good faith to promote the fact people could register to vote at Garda stations but it was “not appropriate” given the Garda’s status “as an apolitical and impartial organisation”.

She told Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív that Garda authorities were investigating.

Protocols

In a parliamentary question, Mr Ó Cuív asked the Minister about the steps taken to put proper protocols in place to make sure gardaí were seen as “totally impartial” in the voter registration process.

Ms Fitzgerald said Ms O’Sullivan had made it clear that Garda participation in what happened outside Pearse Street station, or any event like it, was inappropriate. She said the Commissioner had issued instruction reminding all members not to be associated with “any political movement or viewpoint”.

Ms Fitzgerald made no reference to the recent call by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) to support the same-sex marriage vote.

The association, which represents 10,000 of the 12,800 gardaí, was accused of deviating from the oath all gardaí take, to remain apolitical.

GRA general secretary PJ Stone defended the approach and said they did not see the marriage referendum as a political issue, rather a moral one.