The Garda Podcast

In episode 21, we spoke with four Garda Trainees who had just entered the Garda College in Templemore. Six months later, they join us for this episode of the Garda Podcast straight after their attestation (graduation) where they became sworn members of An Garda Síochána. If you are interested in following in the footsteps of the Gardaí you hear in this podcast, you can apply to be a Garda in the latest Garda recruitment competition which is open on publicjobs.ie

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris took up the role of Commissioner of An Garda Síochána in 2018. After seven years of leading the organisation, he will now retire from the position, and from his almost 42 year policing career. In this episode, Commissioner Harris reflects on his seven years with An Garda Síochána. Some topics discussed in this episode include:-Proudest achievements as Commissioner -Challenges from the past seven years-Changes in policing over the years -The future of policing -Leadership -Policing cybercrime -Domestic, sexual and gender based violence -Targeting organised crime groups-Targeting transnational crime - Remembering those who died in service -What makes An Garda Síochána unique -Why join a career in policing

In this episode, Detective Superintendent Joe O’Reilly of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau takes us behind the MV Matthew operation. The previous Garda Podcast episode - EP 26, outlines the timeline of the MV Matthew interdiction and subsequent conviction of eight men. Background:On September 23 2023, a Panama flagged cargo ship called the MV Mathew entered Irish territorial waters, having set off from Curacao, an island off the coast of Venezuela. Unbeknownst to its crew, suspicions about the ship’s activities had been communicated by international intelligence agencies to An Garda Síochána’s Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.The ship was being monitored, with the belief that its cargo may contain illegal drugs.On September 22nd, the day before the MV Matthew entered Irish waters, two men, bought a fishing trawler called the FV Castlemore in West Cork. The activities of the crews on board both vessels would result in a dramatic joint task force operation carried out at sea in gale force winds and would lead to the largest drug seizure in the history of the State. The seizure of devices and the interception of messages between both sea fairing crews and their criminal gang members on land, led to the conviction and sentencing of eight men – six from the MV Matthew and two from the Castlemore trawler.

On September 23 2023, a Panama flagged cargo ship called the MV Mathew entered Irish territorial waters, having set off from Curacao, an island off the coast of Venezuela. Unbeknownst to its crew, suspicions about the ship’s activities had been communicated by international intelligence agencies to An Garda Síochána’s Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.The ship was being monitored, with the belief that its cargo may contain illegal drugs.On September 22nd, the day before the MV Matthew entered Irish waters, two men, bought a fishing trawler called the FV Castlemore in West Cork. The activities of the crews on board both vessels would result in a dramatic joint task force operation carried out at sea in gale force winds and would lead to the largest drug seizure in the history of the State. The seizure of devices and the interception of messages between both sea fairing crews and their criminal gang members on land, led to the conviction and sentencing of eight men – six from the MV Matthew and two from the Castlemore trawler. The radio and phone conversations you hear in this podcast are real.

The Garda Armed Support Unit, also known as the ASU, is a specialist firearms and tactics unit in An Garda Síochána. In this episode, ASU member, Garda Emma Henebery takes us inside this highly skilled unit. This episode contains some discussions about suicide and self-harm. If you are affected by anything you hear in this podcast, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 or Pieta on 1800 247 274. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.

In this episode, we go on the beat with two Gardaí based in Pearse Street Garda station. Find out what city policing is like during a high visibility foot patrol.

Our Serious Crime Review Team, often referred to as the Cold Case Unit is tasked with reviewing historical cases, many of them high profile, such as the case of Jo Jo Dullard, Sophie Toscan du Plantier and a recent review in to the Stardust tragedy. In this episode, Detective Superintendent Des McTiernan takes us behind the scenes of this highly specialised and experienced team who are determined to get justice for victims and their families.

Superintendent Stephen McCauley and Garda Seamus Fitzgerald are not only Gardaí attached to our Roads Policing Bureau, but motorcyclists when they're off duty too. In this special episode, recorded in Dublin Castle, Stephen and Seamus discuss their passion for motorcycling and give some safety tips.

What does an All Ireland winning Meath footballer, former stunt performer, firefighter and radio presenter have in common? They are all trainees in the Garda College and feature in this episode of The Garda Podcast. If you are interested in following in the footsteps of the people you heart in this podcast, you can apply to be a Garda in the latest Garda recruitment competition which is open until 3pm on Thursday 27 February, 2025. Apply on publicjobs.ie Follow The Garda Podcast for any further updates on upcoming Garda competitions.

Our Garda Dog Unit is an integral part of our operational support service, consisting of highly skilled Gardaí and Garda dogs. In this episode, Sergeant Brian Dineen takes us behind the scenes of this specialist unit.

An Garda Síochána is committed to road safety. From enforcement to education, our Garda National Roads Policing Bureau is constantly innovating and collaborating to ensure we have the right tools and strategies to keep you safe on our roads. In this episode, our Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing, Paula Hilman sits down with Patrice Harrington to discuss the part we are playing to keep our roads safe.

Community Policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. In this episode, Chief Superintendent Padraic Jones of the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau sits down with Patrice Harrington to discuss this effective style of policing. This episode was recorded in late 2024.

From patrol cars to unmarked vehicles, from motorbikes to public order vans, the Garda fleet is unique. What does it take to procure such unique and innovative vehicles and how are they kept on the road to keep people safe? In this episode, our Head of Fleet Management gives a fascinating insight into the Garda fleet.

In this Missing Persons Day special, you'll hear from Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan who has responsibility for the Garda Missing Persons Unit, Jerry Bradley, brother of Alan Bradley who went missing in Maynooth, Kildare in 1999 and you'll hear from Dr Hilary Clarke, a scientist from Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). Missing Persons Day, hosted by the Department of Justice, is an annual commemorative day for families and friends to remember their missing loved ones. It's also a day for An Garda Síochána to highlight how we will do all we can to bring those who are missing home and to encourage anyone with information about any missing person to please contact us. You can do so by contacting any Garda Station or by calling the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

Our Garda College is the national centre for police training, development and learning and is based in the town of Templemore, Co. Tipperary. In this episode, you'll find out what life is like for Garda Trainees during their Foundation Training Programme and what it takes to become a member of An Garda Síochána.

Our National Escort Unit consists of highly skilled Garda motorcyclists who provide escorts for various reasons, including for the transport of VIPs and critically ill patents. In this episode, you'll go inside this specialist unit and hear about their training, more about who they escort and why.

This episode features an interview with Superintendent Niall Featherstone, Chief Bureau Officer with the Garda National Vetting Bureau. Last year, our Garda Vetting Bureau processed over 588,000 vetting applications from 28,000 relevant organisations.Find out why vetting takes place, what information is looked for during the vetting process, what is disclosed to an organisation, tips on how to carry out your vetting application and lots more.

Ireland and England went head to head in a UEFA Nations League soccer game at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on September 7th 2024. Due to the high risk nature of this fixture, the Garda Commissioner declared it an extraordinary event, meaning that leave could be cancelled for Gardaí to ensure enough resources were in place. In this episode, we follow those charged with policing this event in the days leading up to kick off and during and after the match. You'll get an insight in to the detailed pre planning that takes place, the many different specialist units involved, the wide reaching policing plan and we bring you inside the control rooms in Dublin city and the Aviva Stadium.

Find out how we played a key role in dismantling a major global communication platform known as Ghost. This platform is used by dangerous criminals and Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) in Ireland and around the world. We carried out 33 coordinated searches across the country on Monday 16 September and gathered significant evidence. Séamus Boland, Detective Chief Superintendent with the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Justin Kelly, An Garda Síochána’s Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime feature in this episode and explain more about this significant operation.

The Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) is a national, operational support service that turns internal and externally sourced data into information and insight that supports investigations and management decisions within An Garda Síochána. In this episode, GSAS Director Sara Parsons details the highly specialist work undertaken by analysts in the service, including involvement in some of Ireland's most high profile cases.