Just moments after alighting from a van of the French Police Nationale, a band of holidaymakers are seeking a photo opportunity with one of the present An Garda Síochána officers. This is taking place in a part of central Paris that includes the fifth and sixth districts, abutting the river Seine and attracting a huge number of tourists.
Three Irish officers from An Garda Síochána are stationed at a local police branch here, part of an ensemble of over 40 Irish officers who’ve journeyed to support the French law enforcement during Paris Olympics. With potential terror threats and other dangers, an extensive security plan is in place during the games, marked by practically every alternate street corner in the heart of Paris being manned by armed police officers.
Sgt Andrew O’Riordan meanwhile, states their readiness to contribute in any possible manner to the French requirements: “We’ll deliver whatever is needed by them. Crime is crime,”
In an arrangement with their French colleagues, the trio of Irish officers have been on duty since morning. Come afternoon, they embark on another patrol originating from the Pantheon, in the company of a squad of heavily-armed French military personnel for a while.
During the course of the morning, the Irish officers were summoned to a burglary attempt at a posh flat close-by. As many locals have chosen to vacate the city in light of the Olympic disruption, their vacant residences are prime targets for burglars. Garda Fergus Collins, one of the Irish officers, humorously recounts his recovery from ascending the 20-odd flights to the flat.
“We patrol heavily in tourist-favoured areas, and also those prone to ample footfall of pickpockets,” Sgt O’Riordan reveals, mentioning encounters with young men on speedy scooters who snatch handbags in a flash.
As the French soldiers disperse into a different route, a call emanates from a restaurant opposite, originating from Irish tourists from County Meath who caught sight of the yellow Irish police uniforms.
“We can’t wait to tell everyone we crossed paths with the gardaí,” cries one lady from the group. The local Parisians indeed offer a warm welcome to these members of An Garda Síochána, who are among the reserves from numerous nations assisting with security during the games.
Sgt O’Riordan, a French-speaking officer based in Mayorstone, Co Limerick, often encounters gratitude from locals for his services in France. Having perfected his French at university, O’Riordan made history last year as the first English native to graduate from the Cannes-Écluse, the French law enforcement academy. This expertise allows him to master both, the French language and the police-specific vernacular.
While he acknowledges the straightforwardness of the French policing system, he is quick to express his preference for the Irish model. Having participated in the security operation during the previous year’s Rugby World Cup in France, O’Riordan was among the few gardaí assigned there to prepare for the Olympics.
O’Riordan highlights their role in ensuring not only Irish, but also English and American tourists’ safety. The common trick on the metro, often enacted by children as young as 12, involves group distraction tactics, resulting in stolen belongings.
In a friendly interaction, two-year-old Raya, dressed adorably in a tutu, gets a high five from Garda Marion Power. Raya’s excited father, Mahmoud Bakrawie, from Palestine, is pleased to converse when he learns about their Irish origin, expressing his gratitude towards Ireland’s contribution towards Palestine.
Stationed in Dún Laoghaire, Garda Power relishes her time in Paris, despite her rusty French language skills, learned during her Leaving Cert years. She has been refreshing her knowledge over the past few months.
The banter and camaraderie are evident, despite a potentially awkward moment regarding Ireland’s unfortunate Rugby World Cup track record, as a French fan jests, provoking laughter.
A distress call from a local café about a vagrant creating a ruckus is received by the French gendarmerie, who promptly arrive on the scene. As the officers from the Police Nationale start to become anxious, the man defiantly asserts that he will only communicate in German. Upon which, intervention from the gardaí succeeds in diffusing the tension.
Through a conversation in English, they convince the man to move away. Assistants are provided by the gardaí to help the man into his coat and remind him not to leave behind a bag containing his possessions.
Garda Collins, a community garda from Tullamore, asserts that this Irish technique aims to prevent escalating troubles. He explains, “Once they realise that there will be no aggression from us, their viewpoint shifts and they cooperate. The man was willing to leave and this made us content.”