A Garda filmed mocking the travelling community in a skit "call out" video for a charity boxing match has been slammed as "appalling" by a Traveller support group.
The clip, which shows a member of the force taunting a Dublin Fire Brigade fireman, surfaced on social media on Friday.
In the footage, the garda calls 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 has 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 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.
“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.
“We are also calling on the social media companies, on whose platforms this footage was shared, to withdraw the videos immediately.”
A Garda spokeswoman told the Irish Mirror that they "cannot comment on ongoing internal investigations.”
The charity event takes place tonight in Croke Park raising funds for Temple Street Children’s hospital and ARC cancer supports.
Dublin Fire Brigade have been contacted for comment.
