The Gardaí
In Ireland we call the police Gardaí. ‘Garda Síochána’ is in the Irish language and means ‘Guardians of the Peace’. Generally the ‘Garda’ means the force as represented by local police. One member of the force is called ‘a Garda’; two or more are called ‘Gardaí’. The Garda Síochána’s job is to uphold and protect the human rights of everyone within Ireland. The Garda
Síochána is responsible for carrying out all policing duties in the Irish State.
This includes:
How to contact the Garda
If you are a victim or have witnessed a crime you should contact the Garda. In an emergency phone 999 or112. In less urgent situations you should contact your local Garda Station. In Limerick city the Station is in Henry Street and the telephone number is
061 212400. For a complete list of Garda Stations in Limerick visit http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/
Victims
If you are a victim of crime, the Garda will respond quickly to your call. You must fill out a victim report form which you can complete and bring with you to the Garda Station.These forms are available on www.garda.ie or www.citizensinformation.ie. Alternatively, you can complete it in the Garda Station.
Victim support
There is a Crime Victims’ Helpline
which you can contact at:
(01) 479 0592
LoCall 1850 211 407
http://www.crimevictimshelpline.ie/
email.[email protected]
The Garda must give your case equal priority with other cases, whatever your gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, economic circumstances or membership of any minority group. The Garda will explain the investigation process to you and make sure to keep you informed about the progress of the investigation. They will tell you if the suspect is charged (when it is officially stated that the person may be guilty of a crime) or cautioned (when the person is warned officially that the next time he/she does something illegal they will be punished).
They will also tell you about the support services available to victims of crime.
If the Garda have charged a suspect, they will tell you:
Key areas of policing in Ireland
Ethnic Liaison Officers They are members of the Gardaí who work with ethnic communities. If there is a long term issue around policing in ethnic communities it is their job to work with the ethnic community to solve or improve the issue.
There are many hundreds of Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers nationwide. Their role is to:
The ethnic liaison officers for the Limerick area are listed here:
The Garda Siochána encourages ethnic communities within Limerick city to engage with their liaison representative through the Community Policing Co-ordinators Office in Henry Street Garda Station either by
Racism is illegal
It is an offence to incite hatred against anyone in the state or elsewhere because of their:
If someone racially abuses you, you should report it to your local Garda Station. They will ask you to make a statement about the incident. You should ask for the name of the Garda you meet so you can keep in touch with the progress of the investigation.
Alternatively, you can report a racist incident you experienced or witnessed at www.ireport.ie or contact Doras Luimni (061 310 328 or http://www.dorasluimni.org/
Dangerous driving
The Garda Traffic Watch hotline allows you to report incidents of dangerous driving to the Garda so that they can intercept/stop the drivers caution them and bring them through the courts process. You can contact the Garda Traffic Watch hotline at 1890 205 805.
Community policing
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention programme aimed at getting local communities in Ireland actively involved in observing and reporting suspicious activities.
Contact your local Garda Station and ask to speak with your divisional officer about Neighborhood Watch in your area. In most districts there are community Gardaí who work in a particular geographic area. You can contact them through your local Garda station.
Can I join the police force? I
f you are interested in becoming a member of the Garda Síochána you must apply online to become a trainee Garda. To do this:
You will be notified when a recruitment campaign is beginning and be invited to apply online.
Who can apply?
If you wish to apply to become a Garda, you must:
In Ireland we call the police Gardaí. ‘Garda Síochána’ is in the Irish language and means ‘Guardians of the Peace’. Generally the ‘Garda’ means the force as represented by local police. One member of the force is called ‘a Garda’; two or more are called ‘Gardaí’. The Garda Síochána’s job is to uphold and protect the human rights of everyone within Ireland. The Garda
Síochána is responsible for carrying out all policing duties in the Irish State.
This includes:
- all criminal investigations;
- enforcing road traffic law;
- maintaining public order;
- immigration control;
- enforcing drug laws; and
- providing the state security service.
How to contact the Garda
If you are a victim or have witnessed a crime you should contact the Garda. In an emergency phone 999 or112. In less urgent situations you should contact your local Garda Station. In Limerick city the Station is in Henry Street and the telephone number is
061 212400. For a complete list of Garda Stations in Limerick visit http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/
Victims
If you are a victim of crime, the Garda will respond quickly to your call. You must fill out a victim report form which you can complete and bring with you to the Garda Station.These forms are available on www.garda.ie or www.citizensinformation.ie. Alternatively, you can complete it in the Garda Station.
Victim support
There is a Crime Victims’ Helpline
which you can contact at:
(01) 479 0592
LoCall 1850 211 407
http://www.crimevictimshelpline.ie/
email.[email protected]
The Garda must give your case equal priority with other cases, whatever your gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, economic circumstances or membership of any minority group. The Garda will explain the investigation process to you and make sure to keep you informed about the progress of the investigation. They will tell you if the suspect is charged (when it is officially stated that the person may be guilty of a crime) or cautioned (when the person is warned officially that the next time he/she does something illegal they will be punished).
They will also tell you about the support services available to victims of crime.
If the Garda have charged a suspect, they will tell you:
- whether the accused is out on bail (when the arrested person can go home in exchange of an amount of money until his/her trial) or in custody (when someone is kept in prison until their trial
- when the court hearing is taking place; and
- if you are needed as a witness.
Key areas of policing in Ireland
Ethnic Liaison Officers They are members of the Gardaí who work with ethnic communities. If there is a long term issue around policing in ethnic communities it is their job to work with the ethnic community to solve or improve the issue.
There are many hundreds of Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers nationwide. Their role is to:
- liaise (to exchange information) with ethnic representatives of ethnic minority groups and ‘hard to reach groups’;
- monitor racist attacks;
- inform ethnic minorities about Garda services; and
- work with the community groups to facilitate and encourage integration.
The ethnic liaison officers for the Limerick area are listed here:
The Garda Siochána encourages ethnic communities within Limerick city to engage with their liaison representative through the Community Policing Co-ordinators Office in Henry Street Garda Station either by
- phone (061 433538) or
- email ([email protected]).
- The opening hours of this office are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. However, in an emergency or to report a crime you must first contact either the emergency services (999) or the Garda station (061 433538).
Racism is illegal
It is an offence to incite hatred against anyone in the state or elsewhere because of their:
- race;
- colour;
- nationality;
- religion; or
- ethnic group.
If someone racially abuses you, you should report it to your local Garda Station. They will ask you to make a statement about the incident. You should ask for the name of the Garda you meet so you can keep in touch with the progress of the investigation.
Alternatively, you can report a racist incident you experienced or witnessed at www.ireport.ie or contact Doras Luimni (061 310 328 or http://www.dorasluimni.org/
Dangerous driving
The Garda Traffic Watch hotline allows you to report incidents of dangerous driving to the Garda so that they can intercept/stop the drivers caution them and bring them through the courts process. You can contact the Garda Traffic Watch hotline at 1890 205 805.
Community policing
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention programme aimed at getting local communities in Ireland actively involved in observing and reporting suspicious activities.
Contact your local Garda Station and ask to speak with your divisional officer about Neighborhood Watch in your area. In most districts there are community Gardaí who work in a particular geographic area. You can contact them through your local Garda station.
Can I join the police force? I
f you are interested in becoming a member of the Garda Síochána you must apply online to become a trainee Garda. To do this:
- register with www.publicjobs.ie;
- click on my job alerts, select security/emergency services; and
- click on ‘Garda’.
You will be notified when a recruitment campaign is beginning and be invited to apply online.
Who can apply?
If you wish to apply to become a Garda, you must:
- be aged 18-35;
- be a national of an EU state; or
- be a national of a European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation;
- be a refugee; and
- have lived in the state for five years