Misinformation puts the ‘fear of God’ into communities says new Tipperary Garda Chief

The new Chief Superintendent for the Tipperary and Clare Garda Division has strongly condemned what she called “the fear of God” being put into Roscrea communities.

She said gardaí are very aware of the amount of disinformation and misinformation around asylum seekers.

“An Garda Síochána are keenly aware of the significant and consistent speculation, misinformation and disinformation, falsehoods and downright lies that are sometimes in circulation, particularly in relation to International Protection Applicants,” said Chief Supt Aileen Magner.

She said she and her superintendents are “very approachable” and can help to dispel rumours before they become an issue.

The Chief Supt called for everyone to take responsibility for how they talk about or report on these issues. “These falsehoods and misinformation are visited on communities, and it puts the fear of God into them, and I completely understand that,” said Chief Supt Magner.

However, she said that gardaí will not tolerate use or threats of violence or damage to property.

“We are here to protect life, and it doesn’t matter where an individual comes from,” said Chief Supt Magner.

She asked the public to come to the gardaí when they have questions or rumours they would like more information about.

Chief Supt Magner said the key was community engagement and that gardaí were able to have challenging conversations with people.

But they will not engage in the spreading of misinformation.

The Chief Superintendent said that she and all members of An Garda Síochána believe in people’s right to protest. But she warned that incidents like the Racket Hall protests have huge “reputational damage” and one only has to google Roscrea to see that.

RACKET HALL

Members of the Tipperary JPC, including garda representatives agreed to have a discussion around the events in Roscrea in January.

Chairman of the JPC Noel Coonan said the feeling locally was that the gardaí over-reacted.

He asked Superintendent Magner to make a statement. Chief Superintendent Magner said that operations are not something she can discuss in detail, but she is here to listen.

She said she stands by how the local gardaí in the district handled the protests.

“I fully, utterly and completely support Superintendent Ollie Baker, Inspector Aiden Lonergan and all the gardaí that policed previous and prior to this incident, policed during this incident and policed Roscrea since this incident.

“They have my unwavering support in respect to how the situation in Roscrea was dealt with, and I want that on the record,” said Chief Supt Magner.

RESPONSE

Cllr Noel Coonan replied by thanking the Chief Superintendent for her reply and reiterated that the community in Roscrea support the local gardaí.

However, the said the issue was gardaí that came into the town. He also said that had there been communication between the community and the department responsible, the incident never would have happened.

Cllr Shane Lee said he “cringes” when he hears those demonstrating outside the Racket Hall called protesters. He said they were “genuine” and “family-orientated” people who had helped with integration for 20 years.

But that the “foundation” had not been laid to move more people in to the town.

The councillor went on to say race was not the issue and that they did not want a divide between the community and the gardaí. And that he looked forward to working with Superintendent Baker in the future.

“We work together. There is no that side of the table and this side.

“I felt and I hear in Roscrea is that how it was dealt with on the day was wrong,” said Cllr Lee. Cllr Lee also praised the local gardaí saying they had assisted with the protests and engaged with the community throughout.

But there was much “anger and hurt” at the closure of the hotel.

“It went like wildfire,” said Cllr Lee.

BRIGHTER DAYS

Superintendent Ollie Baker said that he believed locals were right to protest the closure of the hotel.

He said the gardaí were “not deaf” to the effect of losing that resource on the community.

Superintendent Baker also said that members in Roscrea had felt they were “under a microscope”.

But he said there were positive things happening as a result of the incident, though they might wish it had not happened. He said that policing in Roscrea was something they were looking at, and there were “greenshoots” in the form of new community groups.

“We will have something brighter and shinier when we are back here at a later date, and we will be more positive about the whole situation,” said Supt Baker.

CONSULTATION

Before the end of the discussion Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne asked the Chief Superintendent if gardaí are consulted before IPAS centres are opened. She said the guards have no role in deciding where IPAS centres are opened or who goes into them.

The Chief Superintendent said they were as “late to the game” in finding out as everyone, and she hopes “lessons have been learned” on a national level.

Superintendent Ollie Baker said that they were no more consulted than if a new factory opened or road was built. He said the suggestion that they would imply that crime would increase in an area where asylum seekers were staying.

“That doesn’t match the facts on the day,” said Supt Baker.