An Garda Síochána Commissioner meets PSNI Chief Constable in Belfast.
The Commissioner of An Garda Síochána Mr Fachtna Murphy and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Sir Hugh Orde met today at Police Headquarters in Belfast. Both Police Chiefs meet regularly to discuss policing matters and this meeting was held today to discuss a range of policing issues including security matters.
Speaking today after the meeting, Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said:
“We appreciate the Garda Commissioner and his colleagues travelling to Belfast to meet with us today. The Commissioner and myself alongside senior colleagues from both organisations met to discuss a number of policing issues. Obviously high on the agenda was the brutal murders of the two soldiers at Massereene Barracks on Saturday night and the callous murder of one of my officers Constable Stephen Carroll on Monday evening.
“The relationship between both police services is excellent. The Police Service of Northern Ireland working alongside our colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the Security Services is determined to bring those responsible for these despicable murders over the last week to justice.”
Commissioner Fachtna Murphy, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Operations Martin Callinan, expressed condolences on behalf of An Garda Síochána to the widow, family and colleagues of Constable Stephen Carroll.
Commissioner Murphy continued:
“I spoke with the Sir Hugh on Monday evening when I received the news about Constable Carroll to express my condolences to both the family and the Police Service and to assure him of our continued support in tackling and frustrating this small group of criminals.
An attack on any police officer is an attack on the whole of society. Cooperation between both police forces on this island has been growing steadily and surely over recent years. Operationally both uniformed officers and detectives meet regularly to address a range of criminal activity and community safety issues. That determination extends into dealing with the current threat from terrorist criminals. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the PSNI.
Garda Press Office
12/3/09
