Charleville gardaí host colleagues from across globe at IPA Council
THE Charleville Park Hotel was the venue for the 2017 National Council of the International Police Association (IPA) last weekend.
The event was hosted by the Cork North Division of An Garda Siochana for the first time in the area and declared open by Cllr. John Paul O’Shea.
In the course of his address Cllr O’Shea said that the IPA was an independent body made up of voluntary effort by members of the police, both active and retired. The organisation creates bonds and friendships with the police force and encourages and promotes international co-operation by the development of cultural relations amongst its members, and the exchange of professional experiences.
“We have many sections of the IPA present from all over Ireland and from the UK and the USA and you are most welcome to county Cork and to Charleville. I have learned that Section Ireland is well recognised as one of the stronger and more active sections of the association worldwide and I commend the IPA for their voluntary effort in this regard.
“The IPA Ireland section provides and facilitates many services through its offices which often goes unnoticed and unrecognised in many ways. For example IPA houses are available here in Cork and in many other counties for use by members worldwide at a nominal rate.
IPA also sponsors scholarships to An Ghaeltacht for Junior Certificate pupils along with exchange programmes for IPA children, who wish to learn a foreign language or experience another culture,” said Cllr. O’Shea, who also commended the IPA for creating this wonderful support organisation for its members and wished them every success to the National Council events over the coming year.
He invited the members to avail of the many attractions in the North Cork locality while there in Charleville and to enjoy the facilities of the Charleville Park Hotel. He also thanked organisers Liam Phillips and Ann Liston for their assistance regarding the weekend event.