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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
William Dunne & Andrew Byrne

Garda filmed 'mocking Travelling community in skit call out video' suspended from force

A garda for a charity boxing match has been suspended.

The officer was slammed by a Traveller support group after the clip surfaced online last Friday.

A garda spokesman told the Irish Mirror: "A member of An Garda Síochána has been suspended in relation to this matter, pending an ongoing internal disciplinary investigation."

showed a member of the force and a Dublin Fire Brigade fireman taunting each other ahead of the event.

The garda can be seen calling out his opponent while mimicking the antics of some Traveller bare knuckle fighters who have been known to taunt their opponents in the same way.

The video last week sparked outraged within the Travelling Community and has led to calls for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to take action against those involved.

Martin Collins, Co-Director of Traveller support group Pavee Point, told the Irish Mirror last Friday he is “appalled” at the videos.

He said: “I have to say that I’m absolutely appalled at the behaviour of these people, who I understand some to be staff of the fire brigade and others to be members of An Garda Siochana.

“In particular, I’m shocked at the behaviour of members of An Garda Siochana. They are in positions of responsibility and hold a lot of authority and they should exercise this with discipline and dignity. 

“Their behaviour only serves to reinforce the stereotype that Travellers are inherently violent.

Gardai have been investigating the incident (Collins)

“It is quite clear from their actions and their mimicking of our accent that this is directed at the Traveller community.

“Therefore it’s not surprising that many Travellers have no confidence or trust in An Garda Siochana.

“This behaviour only undermines the work of Pavee Point in trying to develop positive relations between the Traveller community and An Garda Siochana."

He added: “We are calling on Commissioner Drew Harris to investigate this issue and instigate disciplinary proceedings accordingly. The same applies to the staff of the fire brigade.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (Gareth Chaney Collins)

“We are also calling on the social media companies, on whose platforms this footage was shared, to withdraw the videos immediately.”

The charity event, which took place in Croke Park on Friday, raised funds for Temple Street Children’s hospital and ARC cancer supports.

Dublin Fire Brigade were contacted for comment.

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