An Garda Síochána and Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS) Launch Pilot Scheme for the Deaf Community in Cabra and Tralee Garda Stations (19/11/19)

An Garda Síochána has partnered with the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin and Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) to develop a Pilot initiative to support members of the Deaf community attending Cabra and Tralee Garda stations. The initiative, delivered through a webcam-enabled computer in the two pilot Garda stations will allow video-link access to Irish Sign Language interpretation through to the Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS). The Pilot initiative is being launched as part of the wider preparation of An Garda Síochána for the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, due to be commenced in 2020. The Pilot initiative commenced initially in March 2019 and will continue to operate until 31st December 2019, the initiative will then be reviewed prior to the implementation of the Irish Sign language Act, 2017.

The service is available for assisting in:

Routine short enquiries from members of the Deaf community at the two Garda stations.
Processing of official documents e.g. Passport Forms, Driving licence production etc.
Taking contact details and basic information from a Deaf person who has attended the station as a victim or witness to a crime.
Arranging a booking for the Deaf person to provide a statement at a later date with a "Face to Face" interpreter.
 

The service is not suitable for:

Taking a statement from a Deaf person regarding any crime.
Translating any information that forms part of a Legal/Criminal case.
IRIS Opening hours:

Monday – Friday  8.00am – 8.00pm
Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm
Sunday 12.00pm – 1.30pm
For more information in the Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS) please visit http://slis.ie/iris/   

"This initiative is part of the ongoing commitment of An Garda Síochána to respect the human, constitutional, and equality of treatment rights of the Deaf community in Ireland. It aims to provide enhanced access to Garda services for members of the Deaf community in these pilot areas where they will be able to speak and be understood in their own language 'Irish Sign Language'," ~Chief Superintendent Nyland, Crime Legal.

"We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in An Garda Síochána and Sign Language Interpreting Services to identify how best An Garda Síochána can be ready to service the Irish Sign Language needs of the Deaf Community nationally." ~ Professor Lorraine Leeson, Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin.

Youtube Video Link -

We would like to thank all those who have worked hard to make the launch of this scheme possible:

Crime Legal, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park

Community Policing Unit, Cabra Garda Station

Community Policing Unit, Tralee Garda Station

John Stewart, Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS)

Professor Lorraine Leeson, Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Irish Deaf Community Members, Joanne Chester and Elaine Grehan, Irish Deaf Society

Sylvia Nolan, Deaf Village Ireland

Office of the Director of Communications, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park

Laura Fay, Institute Technology Blanchardstown, Camerawork & Editing