GARDAI have been asked to seek leave on the general election polling day as part of their campaign for a commission on pay. The proposal was made at the annual conference of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) yesterday by the acting general secretary, Mr P.J. Stone. He said doing so on polling day would highlight their demand.
On Tuesday, the 120 delegates held a silent protest, holding up red voting cards, during the address by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, to mark their disapproval of the Government's rejection of their demand.
The conference beard that the GRA was considering holding another public protest in Dublin but no date was set.
Earlier, the Garda Commissioner, Mr Patrick Byrne, expressed concern about what he called the "creation of fear" by sensational media coverage of crime.
He also said that when he read recently about proposals to make films about crime in the Republic with titles such as General, The Headbanger and Godfathers, he felt some concern about "the way we promote our country".
"Commentators who compete with each other from early morning till late at night to bring news of crime to people who feel vulnerable create a fear which we must recognise.
"Paradoxically, the news which frightens also creates a welcome awareness of crime which brings home to people the necessity to be observant and to take steps to protect their property.
"The truth is that in 1996 our crime rate was the lowest in the EU at less than half the European average. Our crime rate was also less than half that of the USA and about one third of the UK rate. In 1996, the crime rate fell by 2 per cent overall and this trend has continued in 1997."
Delegates heard from members about the increasing use of civilian security staff to perform traffic and crowd control duties.
Garda Hugh Corrigan pointed out there was no provision allowing the public to control traffic. He said the Garda Siochana was the only body with authority to control traffic and people in a public place.
The conference backed a motion demanding that civilians be forbidden from controlling traffic in public places.