A GARDA who filmed himself mocking the Travelling community by taking off a ‘call out’ video while holding a can of cider and wearing a Garda vest has been suspended from the force.
Over the weekend a video emerged of an unnamed officer wearing a Garda vest and holding a can of Bulmers while imitating a ‘call out’ video which are sometimes used between members of the Travelling community to challenge others to bare-knuckle fights.
The video was in response to a similar imitation by a member of the Dublin Fire Brigade which had been widely circulated a few days before as a stunt to raise awareness of a charity boxing match taking place between the Fire Brigade and members of the Gardaí.
The Co-Director of Traveller support organisation Pavee Point condemned the video in a statement on Friday, saying “It is quite clear from their actions and their mimicking of our accent that this is directed at the Traveller community.”
He went on to say that “I’m absolutely appalled at the behaviour of these people,”…”in particular, I am shocked at the behaviour of members of An Garda Síochána”.
“They are in positions of responsibility and hold a lot of authority and they should exercise this with discipline and dignity”.
“Their behaviour here only serves to reinforce the stereotype that Travellers are inherently violent.”
The Co-Director, Martin Collins, said the video was a prime of example of why “many Travellers have no confidence or trust in An Garda Síochána”.
Pavee Point called on the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, as well as staff of the Fire Brigade, to investigate the videos and to instigate disciplinary proceedings accordingly.
According to news site JOE, the Garda has been suspended while an investigation into the incident is taking place.
Pavee Point have requested that all social media sites endeavour to have the videos removed.
