"Operation Fiacla" - Shatter Brings in Armed Check Points "to Catch Burglars"

[C. Flower]

http://www.joe.ie/news-politics/current-affairs/arrest-made-over-break-in-at-alan-shatters-home-0022373-1

Having had his own home broken in to, at Patrick's weekend when he was away in Australia, Alan Shatter has introduced a new surveillance programme, in which armed police of the Regional Support Units will man checkpoints.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0418/1224314876051.html

A man was arrested after the burglary of Shatter's house, in the immediate neighbourhood.

Two men have been shot in the last few weeks "in defence of the home," as encouraged by Shatter.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0113/home.html

[homer]

Due to the improved roads there have been a lot of burglaries and robbery with violence. Gardai right to try and clamp down on it. I doubt if it has anything to with Shatter's own experience

[Griska]

Due to the improved roads there have been a lot of burglaries and robbery with violence. Gardai right to try and clamp down on it. I doubt if it has anything to with Shatter's own experience

It's profiling, basically.
Do you honestly think people in business suits will be stopped and questioned by the cops?

Operation Teeth?
Give me a break.

[C. Flower]

Is that it? I thought it was "Operation Toothpaste." :o

You are right - it is profiling and widespread surveillance. There also seems to be an intention to put up armed checkpoints on roads. The people watched I assume if charged have a fair chance of finding themselves in front of the Special Criminal Court.

I'm mildly surprised that this is legal.

Is it perhaps Shatter's reaction to the finding that house raids carried out recently were unconstitutional?

[Griska]

Is that it? I thought it was "Operation Toothpaste." :o

You are right - it is profiling and widespread surveillance. There also seems to be an intention to put up armed checkpoints on roads. The people watched I assume if charged have a fair chance of finding themselves in front of the Special Criminal Court.

I'm mildly surprised that this is legal.

Is it perhaps Shatter's reaction to the finding that house raids carried out recently were unconstitutional?

Toothpaste would be better:)

I was stopped in West Tallaght, recently, by armed cops.
"Where are you coming from?" "Where are you going?", while not looking remotely interested.

I agree with you regarding the legality of the whole thing.
A warrant is required to search a car, is it not?

[C. Flower]

Toothpaste would be better:)

I was stopped in West Tallaght, recently, by armed cops.
"Where are you coming from?" "Where are you going?", while not looking remotely interested.

I agree with you regarding the legality of the whole thing.
A warrant is required to search a car, is it not?

This is all police state stuff. A Blue Shirt's dream.

[Sam Lord]

I was stopped in West Tallaght, recently, by armed cops.
"Where are you coming from?" "Where are you going?", while not looking remotely interested.


I always considered "top of the street" and "botttom of the street" good enough for them.



A warrant is required to search a car, is it not?

Not at all. They can search you or your car under the Misuse of Drugs Act ("suspecting" you are in possession of drugs), the Offences Against the State Act ("suspecting" you are about to commit a scheduled offence), or if they "suspect" you are in possession of stolen property. Or if you are gathered with other people and they "suspect" you may have a knife or other weapon ... et. etc.

In reality this means that they can search anyone and their vehicle at any time.

People in Ireland live under the illusion that they have "rights". In actuality you have very few. Not even to trial by jury which is pretty basic. The DPP can send any case it likes to the special crim without being required to provide any justification whatsoever.

[Dr. FIVE]

Splendid.

We might be closer to finding out who burgled Mike Aynsley and the revenue...

[C. Flower]

I always considered "top of the street" and "botttom of the street" good enough for them.



Not at all. They can search you or your car under the Misuse of Drugs Act ("suspecting" you are in possession of drugs), the Offences Against the State Act ("suspecting" you are about to commit a scheduled offence), or if they "suspect" you are in possession of stolen property. Or if you are gathered with other people and they "suspect" you may have a knife or other weapon ... et. etc.

In reality this means that they can search anyone and their vehicle at any time.

People in Ireland live under the illusion that they have "rights". In actuality you have very few. Not even to trial by jury which is pretty basic. The DPP can send any case it likes to the special crim without being required to provide any justification whatsoever.

Civil rights are fairly scant in Ireland. The sort of right to free speech that existed in the US and rights to a fair and public trial that existed in the U.K. don't exist here. The Constitution was drawn up in a divided State in which the possibility of a coup existed, and it shows.

The US and UK are now on rapid downward trajectories towards police state territory.

People are arrested and jailed for their points of view or for having thought about committing a crime. Legal indefinite detention without trial is part of the new scene in the US.

Democratic rights are all grand so long as there isn't an economic crisis.

[C. Flower]

Splendid.

We might be closer to finding out who burgled Mike Aynsley and the revenue...

Those Anglo laptops ? :D

[Sam Lord]

I noted from today's IT that the Gardai are pissed because the Defence Forces are being allowed to recruit and they are not. Is the country going to war? they ask. Look at us ... we are fighting a war on crime. lol

Good luck with that war. They have about as much chance of victory as those waging the "war on terrorism".

[antiestablishmentarian]

I noted from today's IT that the Gardai are pissed because the Defence Forces are being allowed to recruit and they are not. Is the country going to war? they ask. Look at us ... we are fighting a war on crime. lol

Good luck with that war. They have about as much chance of victory as those waging the "war on terrorism".

I think it's as much about protecting their wages, social position and working conditions as much as 'fighting crime'. I think the Labour Party conference fracas, the small number of Mucaí compared to the FG Ard-Fhéis and the over-reaction at those who breached the barricade was designed to show the government that they depend on the Guards to effectively exercise power. We could see a split here between different wings of the ruling class, it is after all pretty new to see a government which is going on the assault against wages, living conditions and social rights cutting the pay and numbers of those who make the 'bodies of armed men' that is the state in a severe economic crisis- after all Thatcher spent years beefing up the security forces before she felt secure taking on the Miners.

[Sam Lord]

What is the justification being given for expanding the army? Does anyone know?

[antiestablishmentarian]

What is the justification being given for expanding the army? Does anyone know?

Unemployment is one reason I think.

[C. Flower]

I think it's as much about protecting their wages, social position and working conditions as much as 'fighting crime'. I think the Labour Party conference fracas, the small number of Mucaí compared to the FG Ard-Fhéis and the over-reaction at those who breached the barricade was designed to show the government that they depend on the Guards to effectively exercise power. We could see a split here between different wings of the ruling class, it is after all pretty new to see a government which is going on the assault against wages, living conditions and social rights cutting the pay and numbers of those who make the 'bodies of armed men' that is the state in a severe economic crisis- after all Thatcher spent years beefing up the security forces before she felt secure taking on the Miners.


The bodies of armed men are having their numbers boosted.

It's always hard to tell whether this kind of event is because of incompetence or for a reason.

The Gardaí generally like to thump protestors over the head and now, pepperspray them, to discourage people from demonstrating. I think that the "battle at the Daíl gates" a couple of years ago, that might possibly have been set up by provocateurs, sent a message to the public to stay off the streets.

[Sam Lord]

I just had a look and it appears that the Defence Forces are at their lowest numbers since the founding of the state. The high point was 15,000 in the 1980s and they are under 9,500 at the moment.

The money they are using to boost their numbers is apparently from the sale of barracks. It was ringfenced for the Defence Forces.

[fluffybiscuits]

I just had a look and it appears that the Defence Forces are at their lowest numbers since the founding of the state. The high point was 15,000 in the 1980s and they are under 9,500 at the moment.

The money they are using to boost their numbers is apparently from the sale of barracks. It was ringfenced for the Defence Forces.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/defence-forces-defend-hiring-of-500-recruits-during-garda-staffing-freeze-3086752.html

Army are surprised at the comments from the GRA . GRA are right, their numbers are cut by 800 while we get more army, armies dont deal with civilians as much as the cops do....

[C. Flower]

I am very appreciated

You are so appreciated that our special "banned" award is about to be presented to you.