Two men held over murder of Dessie Fox
»»seven officers take their own lives in year »»Job pressure, trauma & ptsd blamed for rise
Dessie Fox TWO men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Dessie Fox over 25 years ago.
The bookmaker was driving from his home in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, to the Curragh in Co Kildare, when his car was intercepted by armed men.
He was shot during the incident at Healy’s Bridge in Prosperous on September 30, 1990, and died at the scene.
Officers arrested the two men aged 50, and 61, in the Dublin area yesterday morning during an operation involving gardai from the Kildare Division and members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
They are being held at Naas and Leixlip Garda stations. GARDAI have unveiled their new patrol uniforms as they modernise kit for frontline units.
It is a change from the traditional trousers, shirt and tie to more comfortable and appropriate gear.
The new looks were revealed at the GRA conference in Wexford.
Supt Liam White said: “This is a new concept.
“It’s as a result of a call from frontline policing. They want to have something that is fit for purpose.”
A pilot scheme will go live in July.
Garda Representative Association annual conference in Wexford yesterday SEVEN gardai took their own lives in the past year, it was revealed yesterday.
Garda Representative Association president Ciaran O’neill told delegates the grim toll at the annual conference in Wexford.
He claimed pressure of the job, exposure to trauma and post traumatic stress disorder are driving the rising suicide rates.
And Gda O’neill slammed the help offered by the welfare system.
He said: “Commissioner, it is of concern to us to note independent clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy has rated the Garda Welfare Service five out of 10.
“This is just not good enough. Seven of our colleagues took their own lives in the past 12 months and it is all our responsibilities to ensure there are no more.
“It’s time for us all to recognise that it’s OK not to be OK. Our job is unique and it requires the back-up services to ensure our members’ well-being is fully catered for.
STRETCHED
“Our welfare service is stretched to the limit and replacements and additional staffing are taking far too long. Our welfare officers do not have the full supports they need to provide a proper service.”
A survey of rank-and-file officers found one in six may suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and upwards of one in four are “walking wounded” from trauma.
The GRA commissioned chartered psychologist Dr Finian Fallon to carry out the review.
He said: “I was quite shocked at the level [of suicides].
“It’s very concerning and a lot of that would have to do both with the pressures of work and the experience of trauma and PTSD.”
Dr Fallon added the issue is not at the critical point but added: “We already have a problem that needs to be addressed quickly.”
A Garda Siochana spokesman said the force had launched a new welfare information service.
He added: “It provides information and resources in relation to self-care, mental health, physical health, bereavement, family life etc.
“This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year.”