From February to May, 109 individuals of non-Irish nationality arrived at Dublin Airport with inadequate travel documentation, leading to charges under the Immigration Act. These charges led to 84 guilty verdicts, six custodial remands, four instances of bench warrants, and one conviction with an associated penalty. Another 14 cases were flattened or dropped in court.
Such details were a part of the May report by Drew Harris, the Garda Commissioner, to the Policing Authority, made public on Friday. Harris informed Helen Hall, the CEO of the Policing Authority, about the escalating issue of non-citizens with forged or absent travel papers appearing at Dublin Airport daily. He indicated that those charged had disposed of their papers either on the plane or at the terminal prior to the immigration process.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau initiated a trial operation at Dublin Airport in February to apprehend Immigration Act violators and bring them to court. Reports by Mr Harris also note that between June and 400 frontline guards in Dublin would be equipped with and trained to use body-worn cameras. This initial deployment in Limerick and Waterford will be followed by distribution to all police stations.
Harris recognised an organisational development in May involving the implementation of new technologies that allow the Garda to access the Irish Motor Insurance Database using Garda mobility devices.
Meanwhile, the Garda successfully handled a massive policing operation during the Europa League final in May. The event at the Aviva Stadium attracted 48,000 local and international football enthusiasts and was safely managed by approximately 1,800 Garda personnel.
On Friday, 157 new Garda graduates completed their training, 35% of whom being women. Of these, 17 were born outside of Ireland, hailing from countries including the United States, Pakistan, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Brazil, and Romania.
As of the 28th of June, there was a composition of 14,100 sworn-in police officers, 3,502 police staff and 329 police reserves. Additionally, 294 police trainees are currently enrolled in two batches at the Police College. Justice Minister Helen McEntee stated her excitement about the dynamic, mixed group joining the police force. McEntee further reinforced her commitment as Minister to establishing safer neighbouring areas, with a fully staffed and reserved police force being integral to this objective.