More than 100 athletes from Team Ireland, alongside thousands of Irish fans, will be buoyed by the presence of a contingent of Gardaí at the Olympic Games in Paris this week. In an unprecedented security mission, 42 members of the Irish police force will be in the French capital, assisting local law enforcement throughout the period of the Games. This heightened security measure has resulted in the almost complete lockdown of central areas of Paris in preparation for Friday’s opening ceremony.
Spearheading the collaboration is Garda Inspector Neil Casley, a member of the international liaison section. He outlines the Gardaí’s role which will largely involve patrolling in Paris. They will also be posting officers at high-traffic locations such as metro stations to provide a reassurance and assistance to English speaking attendees.
The concept, which was successful during other sporting events like the French Rugby World Cup last year, is designed to offer help to the Team Ireland’s supporters alongside other English-speaking tourists. The presence of the Gardaí in the city is also seen as a way of improving overall security at the event, and ensuring the public’s safety, states Insp Casley.
While the Gardaí can be proactive in aiding victims of crime, any formal investigation is solely the responsibility of the French authorities. Under the guidelines of this collaborative operation, the Irish police may intervene or act as guided by their French counterparts.
For spectators set to be in Paris for the Games, Insp Casley’s advice centres on forward planning, especially around travel to event venues or stadiums, allowing for potential delays due to intensified security checks.
In order to form this team of Gardaí, a competition was held where French language competency was favoured. The selected group displays a range of language proficiency from basic to fluent. In total, 56 Gardaí were selected, with a number of them set to arrive later assisting in the security operations for the later Paralympic Games, held in August and September.
The choice to permit participants to float down the Seine during the Olympic kickoff has instigated a substantial security endeavour in the heart of Paris. An array of locations along the riverbanks that the waterway cuts across, are cordoned off by the law enforcement, introducing a permit system that limits access to locals and tourists unless they live or are employed in these regions.