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The 60th anniversary celebration of women joining An Garda Siochana has heard there is no longer a glass ceiling within the force.<\/p>\nThe 60th anniversary celebration of women joining An Garda Siochana has heard there is no longer a glass ceiling within the force.<\/p>\n
Five of the 12 first ever female recruits to the Garda, known as the Class of 1959, were honored at an event in Dublin\u2019s Farmleigh House.<\/p>\n
Following a long-running campaign by female civic groups, the announcement of women joining the force caused huge upset at the time, both in society and within the Dail.<\/p>\n
After 22 weeks\u2019 training, they were allocated to Dublin\u2019s Pearse Street Garda station, they were paid less than their male colleagues, subject to a marriage ban, wore a different uniform, and were known as \u201cBan Gardai\u201d.<\/p>\n
During his speech, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris hailed the women as trailblazers and said such obstacles to women\u2019s advancement in the Garda are a thing of the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cSixty years ago these pioneers of policing in Ireland took the brave and honorable step of becoming a Garda and, in doing so, not only helped protect the communities they served, but also inspired many other women to follow in their footsteps,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have come a long way since the first 12 women joined An Garda Siochana in July 1959. Female representation within the ranks of An Garda Siochana is strong.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen perform duty across the whole range of operational units and bureaus. Every day, the women of An Garda Siochana make a positive difference to individuals and the communities this organisation serves across the country and further afield.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was noted throughout the event and by the commissioner that female gardai have suffered \u201cunacceptable, sexist and degrading\u201d treatment while serving in the force.<\/p>\n
Minister Charlie Flanagan spoke at length during his speech about the recent case of Majella Moynihan, an unwed female gardai who was forced to give up her child against her will, and had her career halted due to the discrimination she suffered in the aftermath of having a child \u201coutside of wedlock\u201d.<\/p>\n
He spoke of meeting and apologizing to Ms Moynihan, and that she had told him of the camaraderie she felt from some of the other female gardai during the episode.<\/p>\n
Currently, female gardai only make up 27% of the force but Mr Flanagan said the overhaul of the police force will work to advance gender equality.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m keen to ensure that state bodies like Garda Siochana are friendly workplaces for women,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn Garda Siochana is going through a time of reform, and is an attractive career, and I would encourage more women to join, and would point to the great options career-wise for women in specialization in the security forces of the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important in any police service that the make-up of that service is reflective of society at large, that\u2019s why we need more women and minorities and reflective of modern day Irish society, and I know the Garda commissioner concurs with that view.\u201d<\/p>\n
One female guard, Sergeant Nicola Brady from Dublin\u2019s Finglas Garda station, in the Class of 1995, was one of five women in her first station.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have led a charmed existence in the guards, I haven\u2019t had any negative experience, you\u2019re paid to do a job, the lads are paid the same, you\u2019re expected to get out and do it, you\u2019re paid to get stuck in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all police the same for the most part.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn some circumstances women take a softer approach, especially in domestic situations, but not all the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome people might not agree with me, but women tend to be a bit more rational and practical than men at times \u2013 but I\u2019m sure someone will correct me on that.\u201d<\/p>\n