Garda who speaks arabic keeps us safe
A TERRORIST attack here by radicalised Islamists is unlikely because the various communities around the country are fully engaged with the gardaí, according to the garda in charge of ethnic liaison around the country.
Arab-speaking Sergeant David McInerney, head of the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office, said that the strength of the relationship between his office and the Muslim community is evident every day.
Muslim leaders will call his office if they have problems or suspect a member is becoming radicalised.
‘It is about listening to the people, understanding where they come from and respecting their beliefs,’ said Sgt McInerney, who has a PhD in developing positive intercultural relations.
Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan reaffirmed this position when she became the first commissioner to visit an Irish mosque earlier this year.
Sgt McInerney said: ‘In France following the recent terrorist attack there is an immediate reaction with police banging on doors, which is great. But if the police had been engaging all along and talking to these marginalised communities some of the problems could have been avoided.
‘Our policies are working. Making people feel valued and knowing they have a stake in society is so important. Learning the language also makes a huge difference. Talking through an interpreter is not the same, as tone is very important in conversation.
‘The Commissioner was in the mosque in Clonskeagh two weeks ago. The men put their hands out to shake her hand at the end, which was amazing.
‘They rang me after and said this was very respectful. They have been here since the 1950s, they have never given any problems.
‘There are extremists guys who
are potential terrorists, there is no doubt about it, but they don’t have any grievance with Ireland.
‘The world is changing rapidly and we are lucky here so far. If we keep reaching out to the minorities and have an understanding it means people will feel valued and there will be no conflict. I really believe that.’
Sgt McInerney has also travelled to a refugee camp and interviewed desperate Syrian people hoping to come to Ireland. He believes the selection process of accepting Syrian refugees is working.
He said: ‘The people who are here want to contribute to society. They selected people who really needed to come here, and not the troublemakers. They are doing their very best to weed out the possibility of that happening.
‘There are four gardaí in Sgt McInerney’s office and they work closely with 266 ethnic liaison officers around the country. Some of these officers have also learned to speak a little Arabic in an attempt to fully engage.
‘You have to understand their mindset, value, beliefs and if you feel they are not in tandem with our laws, try to bring them back on board. I may eat my words, but I think our approach is the reason an attack here is so unlikely.’