AN HONOUR TO SERVE!
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.
‘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.’
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,’ he added.