An honour to serve during unusual times
GARDA MICK DEE AND INSPECTOR PAT CODY ARE HONOURED BY UN
THE latest UN Medal Parade saw Wexford garda Mick Dee and Inspector Pat Cody receive their medals at a special ceremony that took place in Nicosia, Cyprus, where the two men are currently based.
Alongside four other members of An Garda Síochána who are currently placed on international peacekeeping duties, the Head of Mission Elizabeth Sphere presented the medals to the Irish contingent. Speaking to Michael Dee, he described receiving his medal as a huge honour.
‘It was a recognition of our service with the United Nations. I had an uncle who served in Lebanon and I had a granduncle who also served in Cyprus in the 1960s with the army, so I’m the third generation to have represented in this way.
‘It was a private occasion, but it was still an occasion and a nice day for us. It would usually be a bit more formal with the ambassador coming down but we have to follow the social distancing rules and set an example,’ he said.
Michael explained that himself and Pat experienced normal life in Cyprus in January, February and early March but things changed in the months that followed when a strict lockdown began.
‘Covid-19 hit here earlier so we think it’s going to finish earlier. Ireland appears to be just a little bit behind where we are but the Covid restrictions were a lot stricter than home initially and they lasted a little longer.
‘When lockdown started here, you could only leave your house once per day for while. You had to get a permit from the government through a text message system and you had to have your ID with you. There were police checks, and there was a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and if you were leaving your house you had to have a special authorisation.
‘As UN members, we were given a certificate that allowed us to drive to and from work, and that was the only other time we were allowed out of our houses. The restrictions were severe but they were good in the sense that they appear to have worked.
‘It’s relatively under control here, there are some cases most days but it’s very low,’ he said.
He said that things are now picking up again, but all are still acutely aware of the conflict.
‘Shops and businesses are opening up here gradually, bars have opened that are mostly outdoors with social distancing, shopping centres re-opened this week and barbers opened a week ago and the two metre rule is being strictly enforced’.
He explained that the UN goal for the mission is to return to normal conditions in Cyprus.
‘As a deputy police sector commander, I’m involved with the day to day running of the area and the management of the patrol officers. The sort of things we deal with is the policing of the buffer zone between the two sides in Cyprus here.
‘We meet with the local police and military plus the UN military, and the civilian end of it in terms of regulation. You have to get permits here for farming in the buffer zone so we assist with that’.
The emphasis is on community policing in Cyprus, something both men are familiar with from their experience at home.
‘I’m in charge of community policing in Askamore and Craanford and all of the liaisons we do, it’s like what a community garda would do at home and it ties in very closely. We have to live in the area we work in so you get to know the local people, myself and Pat know the farmers by name,’ said Mick.
‘We’re aware of the situation here, and it has some similarities with Irish history at home. It’s all about how you interact with the people but it’s the same as home, you treat them with respect.
‘We’ve an understanding of the conflict, and so we’re able to apply community policing principles and it stands to us. We’re able to create a positive impact then from our training’.
Although they are missing home, Mick was fortunate that his family spent the lockdown by his side.
‘When the schools closed at home, my family came out to visit me here as they didn’t know if they were going to get out again and as it turned out, they’re still here as they haven’t been able to get back. They’re okay here and we’re all together here as a family.
‘Pat and I are missing the GAA and we recently did a webinar with Wexford GAA. But what we’ve learned from this whole experience is that people around the world are similar. They’ve the same difficulties, the same problems.
‘They have to work, put food on the table and look after their families. Even in places with conflict, it’s our job to make things normal for them and we try our best to see if we can help people get back to making a living here, for example the farmers in the buffer zone’.
Reflecting on the unique experience, Mick has hope that things will get better.
‘I went from driving a Jeep on the Wexford motorways working with the Roads Department to sitting in an office here. It’s totally different but I’m learning and I’m delighted to get the opportunity to do it. ‘We’re delighted to hear that everyone at home is keeping well and although the health guidelines are tough, there will be an end to look forward to, especially in the return of sport’.