Our man Frank on the bizarre case of the Westmeath Garda, the old man and the bike; Another great title win for Creggs RFC; And on meeting Danny, who’s off to London…
Ever since I was a young lad (and that is a long time ago), the local guard was a huge part of rural communities and – almost without exception – became involved in all aspects of local activity.
They became an integral part of the parish, representing the local sports clubs in every variety of sport, and no matter what type of event was being run the local guard would play an active part. As a result, people would always try to help their local guard, and it definitely worked both ways.
And so, in a Garda station in the Midlands in May 2020, when an elderly man asked one of the local guards if there might be a spare bike in garda storage that he could use, the guard did what any good community person would do, and gave the old man the loan of a bike that had been unclaimed for more than a year.
The old man’s bike was broken, and he had bought himself a new one, but because of Covid the bicycle shop was closed and he couldn’t get his new bike home. And so, with the kindness I would expect of every local guard, the bicycle was handed over on the understanding that it would be returned as soon as the old man could get his own bike from the shop.
That should have been the end of the matter, but a supervisor had reported the guard for taking the bike without filling out the proper paperwork, and in the words of an informed source “all hell broke loose”.
The guard who had given the bike had already told another supervisor what he had done, but it was too late – there was also an allegation against the Good Samaritan that he was “likely responsible” for the theft of two expensive bike wheels from the station, a warrant was issued, and his home was subjected to a dawn raid by officers looking for the missing wheels and the old man’s loaned bicycle.
The guard, who again had already told a supervisor about the whereabouts of the bike, brought the officers to the man’s home and, lo and behold, there was the bike exactly as he had told them.
However, within 24 hours he was suspended by Garda HQ, and for more than three very long years he was not allowed to do anything related to his job. Last year he was finally let return to work, but was confined to indoor duties until last week when he was cleared of all charges and returned to his proper work.
“What he did was the epitome of good community policing, but he was treated like a serious criminal and it’s had a massive immeasurable impact”, said a source, speaking of a saga that is regarded as one of the biggest cock-ups by Garda management ever.
As we all know, rank and file Gardai have little or no confidence in the Commissioner (with whom the buck stops), and with incidents like this, is it any wonder? A little bit of understanding and common sense would have stopped this from escalating, but obviously those attributes seem to be in short supply at the top level of the Garda Siochana.
Double joy for Creggs
It’s said that lightning doesn’t strike twice, but out here in Creggs Rugby Club on this Monday morning it seems as if it actually might have done! On Sunday, in almost a repeat of the previous Sunday’s drama up in Galway, our second team won their league, defeating a hugely fancied Galwegians team in the final in Creggs.
The game was originally fixed for Ballinasloe, but as their pitch wasn’t deemed to be playable, the two clubs agreed to toss a coin to see who would host the final, and thankfully we won the toss and secured a very welcome home advantage. A fantastic crowd turned up to watch a wonderful game of rugby, and at the end of a pulsating battle Creggs had won on a 30-25 scoreline.
The celebrations lasted long into the evening and in a year in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club’s foundation, it is almost unbelievable that we have two league titles in our trophy cabinet – not sure if we actually have a trophy cabinet, but you know what I mean.
Before I leave rugby, it’s amazing how lads from so many different areas can gel so well together on a single team. On our team on Sunday, there were lads who play football for at least eight or nine local clubs. Some of them freely admit that when they play against each other on GAA fields, there is no love lost, yet when wearing the maroon and white of Creggs RFC they will put everything on the line to support each other.
The other rugby thought that crossed my mind was that it was no great disaster that Ireland lost Saturday’s big match against the old enemy, England! The media had built this Irish team into something it certainly isn’t – yes they are a good team, but reading the newspapers and listening to the radio and telly, you would think they were almost unbeatable, and so far superior to everyone else that every game would be a stroll in the park.
Saturday proved that we are not unbeatable, but the good thing is we can still win the championship by beating Scotland this weekend. As Creggs have found out over the last two weekends, any trophy is well worth winning. Maybe the air of invincibility will disappear now, and while we are still a very good team, last Saturday’s defeat might just focus our minds on beating the Scots and delivering a championship that is very hard to win!
Ever since I was a young lad (and that is a long time ago), the local guard was a huge part of rural communities and – almost without exception – became involved in all aspects of local activity.
They became an integral part of the parish, representing the local sports clubs in every variety of sport, and no matter what type of event was being run the local guard would play an active part. As a result, people would always try to help their local guard, and it definitely worked both ways.
And so, in a Garda station in the Midlands in May 2020, when an elderly man asked one of the local guards if there might be a spare bike in garda storage that he could use, the guard did what any good community person would do, and gave the old man the loan of a bike that had been unclaimed for more than a year.
The old man’s bike was broken, and he had bought himself a new one, but because of Covid the bicycle shop was closed and he couldn’t get his new bike home. And so, with the kindness I would expect of every local guard, the bicycle was handed over on the understanding that it would be returned as soon as the old man could get his own bike from the shop.
That should have been the end of the matter, but a supervisor had reported the guard for taking the bike without filling out the proper paperwork, and in the words of an informed source “all hell broke loose”.
The guard who had given the bike had already told another supervisor what he had done, but it was too late – there was also an allegation against the Good Samaritan that he was “likely responsible” for the theft of two expensive bike wheels from the station, a warrant was issued, and his home was subjected to a dawn raid by officers looking for the missing wheels and the old man’s loaned bicycle.
The guard, who again had already told a supervisor about the whereabouts of the bike, brought the officers to the man’s home and, lo and behold, there was the bike exactly as he had told them.
However, within 24 hours he was suspended by Garda HQ, and for more than three very long years he was not allowed to do anything related to his job. Last year he was finally let return to work, but was confined to indoor duties until last week when he was cleared of all charges and returned to his proper work.
“What he did was the epitome of good community policing, but he was treated like a serious criminal and it’s had a massive immeasurable impact”, said a source, speaking of a saga that is regarded as one of the biggest cock-ups by Garda management ever.
As we all know, rank and file Gardai have little or no confidence in the Commissioner (with whom the buck stops), and with incidents like this, is it any wonder? A little bit of understanding and common sense would have stopped this from escalating, but obviously those attributes seem to be in short supply at the top level of the Garda Siochana.
Birthday musings
Birthdays are funny things, and I for one am not a fan (apart from when I factor in Molloy’s lovely birthday cakes).
But equally, I know people who love the excitement of them, who buy presents and cards and all sort of nice things and look forward to planning parties and making big events out of even the ordinary everyday birthday. For big ones like 21sts or any one that ends in a 0, they really outdo themselves, and no expense is spared – venues are hired, caterers brought in, and invitations sent out to all and sundry.
The last big ‘do’ I had was for my 40th, when Adrian Leddy and myself held a joint hooley in the rugby club. Since then, I have managed to avoid any party for my 50th, 60th and 70th birthdays.
Last weekend, I found myself at Rose Marie Whyte’s birthday party in Mikeen’s, and as she was lucky enough (or maybe unlucky enough) to be born on the 29th of February, she would have only had an actual birthday every four years. Personally, I would be quite happy with that, but maybe those who were born on that day would prefer a birthday every year.
We had a very nice night, with lots of good music provided by Rose Marie’s nieces and nephews (the Coleman family), and I can only wish her a belated happy birthday, even if she has to wait four years for her next one!
And finally…
The other day I had a chat with the legend that is Danny Burke – and congratulated him on having recently celebrated a special birthday. He told me that the Castlerea Brass & Reed Band are off to London for St Patrick’s weekend, and that (of course) he is going with them.
I’ve said it many times before, but when God created Danny he threw away the mould – he really is a one-off.
As always, it was a pleasure to talk to him. Belated good wishes on your birthday, Danny, and enjoy a great Paddy’s Day in London! Undoubtedly Roscommon’s greatest Ambassador!
