A Donegal garda sergeant and two officers from the Donegal division are on the beat in Paris at the Olympics this fortnight, protecting athletes and fans and Ireland’s first medal!
A total of 56 Garda officers have been deployed to France to help keep the millions of people involved in the 2024 Olympics safe.
“We’re so glad to be here in Paris to support the work of our international counterparts in policing helping to keep the millions of people involved in the 2024 Olympics safe – but we’re especially proud to be able guard Team Ireland’s first medal and ensure it gets home to Ireland safely,” said a post from Gardaí on Facebook last night after Sligo swimmer Mona’s sensational bronze medal win.
“Congratulations Mona McSharry!”
Sight-seeing isn’t on the agenda for gardaí in Paris. Their work involves joint patrols with French police and they are available to assist Irish nationals or other English-speaking nationals attending the Olympic events.
Photo: An Garda Síochána
Gardaí and police forces from all over the world are working to assure public security, to welcome visitors, to facilitate engagement with local host authorities and to ensure transport security in train stations and metro stations near Olympic venues.
Garda Niall Maguire, who was looking after this week’s community appeals in Donegal, said: “We were in touch with one of the Garda members in question yesterday and she said that she and her Garda colleagues are working alongside the French Police daily and that their time is mainly spent out on the beat and on patrol.
“They are operating mostly on a community policing style basis and they are continuously interacting with and assisting English speaking tourists from all over the world.
“They have met lots of Irish tourists who have been shocked and delighted to meet Gardaí on the beat in France! By all accounts it has been a wonderful experience so far and the response they are receiving is very positive. We wish them and Team Ireland the very best of luck in France!”
Photo: An Garda Síochána
