Local election candidate Christy Galligan believes there is an urgent need to establish the promised new Independent Garda Authority, so that morale can be returned to the Garda force in Donegal as quickly as possible.
Election candidate Christy Galligan has called for morale to be restored within the Gardai.
Speaking from the campaign trail this week, Galligan told Donegal Daily, “I know that morale among local members of the force is extremely low at the moment, and it’s a direct result of the recent controversies involving penalty points, whistleblowers, and alleged bugging.
“I have been contacted by many of my former colleagues lately and it is clear that morale is on the floor.
According to Galligan, the sequence of these controversial events has dealt a major body blow to the morale of the local members of the force in Donegal.
Galligan feels while there is a pressing need to instill public confidence in the force once again, we also need to restore trust within the organisation itself.
Galligan said, “At the end of the day, serving Garda members need to have full faith in the capacity of the organisation to carry out its duties effectively.
“That is why the new Garda Authority, which has been promised by the Government, must be set up as quickly as possible so that members of the force can move on from this difficult saga in the knowledge that effective oversight mechanisms are in place, he added.
Galligan has said in the past the importance that the Authority be set up under the ambit of the existing Garda Inspectorate.
With existing expertise and manpower there, a move would save hugely on costs and resources.
Galligan concluded, “There are many fantastic and enthusiastic members of the force in Donegal who go out to serve the public in what can often be an extremely dangerous and challenging job. Establishing the Garda Authority will go a long way towards boosting morale.
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