Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support this motion and compliment the movers of it. This is the second time recently we have debated this issue. I could not agree more with the previous speaker. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad. We have to praise our young and they will come. There is a song, "Teach Your Children Well". I do not know who sang it but I love it as it has a nice tune and rhyme. We have to train the people and give them support in the communities. I am not for locking them up and throwing away the key. We need to bring them on and train them.

Community policing is the essence. With your indulgence, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I was late today as I was at a sochraid. Garda Sergeant Niall O'Halloran was laid to rest today at 47 years of age. He was an excellent community garda. He, along with his team, was the essence of community policing. I want to pay tribute to him and his colleagues who came together for their fallen hero while observing social distancing. The community police are all important. They must know their community, stand in the kitchens, know the people and visit the schools. Sergeant Niall O'Halloran would bring the national school fifth and sixth classes gach bhliain on a turas go dtí Templemore and the Garda headquarters there to show them, to give them an enthusiasm for the uniform and for all the aspects of Garda life.

That is what we have to do. We should not create an "us and them" mentality by chasing them with a squad car whenever there is an issue. I know how dangerous these vehicles are and how serious it is to be hit by one. I have a quad for use on a hilly sheep farm. I know how dangerous they are. They have to be used properly. We can never beat this behaviour out of young people. We have to encourage them and give them tracks to use. A new track for cars is being developed near Duneske in Cahir. It is to be hoped people will be able to use it to train. Planning permission has just been granted by An Bord Pleanála. I compliment the Buttimer family on this project. It is to be hoped young men and women will be able to drive their cars and get experience there. There is nothing like experience.

I pass on my sympathies to Sergeant O'Halloran's wife, Sandra, his young son, Richard, the Garda community and the Garda Representative Association. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís. He came into our community ten years ago. He got to know the people, lived for them, had their backs and was available to them. We need that kind of interaction. Gardaí should get out of the squad cars and the offices and be with the people. If An Garda stands with the people, the people will stand with An Garda. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad. Measaim gurb é sin an scéal.

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