The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has described as “abhorrent” the treatment of one of its members at the Dublin Bay South By-Election Count Centre last Friday.
AGSI General Secretary, Antoinette Cunningham told its National Executive council meeting of her anger and disquiet in the wake of the events at the RDS
“The accusations, vitriol, and sustained verbal attacks on our member and his colleagues are utterly condemned by our Association and we are greatly concerned at the level of abuse directed at members which this incident highlights.
“Policing COVID-19 has been an extremely challenging environment for members of our Association who have stepped up, and responded to, our national crisis with unwavering commitment. So to see colleagues being abused in this way is reprehensible.
“We would like to remind the public that COVID-19 restrictions are not Garda regulations but Government measures introduced on grounds of public health.”
Although the AGSI did not refer to her by name or any other candidate for that matter, Dublin Bay South by-election candidate and UCD Professor Dolores Cahill was refused entry to the count centre after she refused to wear a mask.
The independent candidate in the Dublin Bay South by-election, was vocal and demonstrative in attempting to push through several gardaí and security personel in trying to gain entry to the count centre at the RDS in leafy Ballsbridge.
The outspoken critic of ongoing covid-19 restrictions attended the count in the company of a few of her supporters, who also refused to wear a mask as required under health regulations.
Some of her colleagues spoke out against her on Twitter, with one UCD professor describing her behaviour as “thuggish and ignorant”.
