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AGSI Statement on Retirement of Garda Commissioner

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AGSI released the following media statement following news that Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has retired from An Garda Síochána. Note he clarified in a later statement that he retired and had not resigned.
General Secretary John Redmond is quoted in the Irish Independent.
 
“Review of An Garda Síochána Timely” – AGSI
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has released a statement this afternoon following the resignation of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.
Speaking this afternoon John Redmond, General Secretary says:
“We believe that the imminent review of An Garda Síochána is timely and should be prioritised by Government and Garda management as a matter of urgency following the resignation today of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.
“The Garda organisation has come under the spotlight recently. Some of the reports and criticisms have impacted greatly with morale seriously diminished within the organisation. All of this when our members are trying to deliver a policing service in difficult times.
“As you know we are in the process of undertaking a review of the Garda organisation as part of the Haddington Road agreement.  Now is the opportune time to expand the review of the Garda organisation to include oversight and accountability and indeed to look at service provision generally by the Garda organisation.  The public have expectations of what service they want and yet this review is not engaging globally with all interested parties and stakeholders.
“AGSI will be debating the very issue of a policing authority at our 36th Annual Delegate Conference in less than three weeks time. We hope that Government fulfil their commitment under the Haddington Road Agreement – that a robust review of the structure and operations of the Garda organisation, the first in over 40 years, takes place this year.
“The myriad of controversies over the last number of weeks has impacted on public confidence in the Garda organisation.  AGSI believes that the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter must act ‘swiftly’ in appointing a new Commissioner.  This is critically important so that confidence and leadership can be provided at this time within An Garda Síochána.”

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