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24th Jan 2019

Garda Commissioner denies reports 600 Gardaí will be moved to the Irish border

Alan Loughnane

Gardaí Irish border

“Entirely incorrect”.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has rubbished reports emerging today that 600 Gardaí are planned to be stationed along the border should there be a no-deal Brexit.

The report comes from the Irish Independent which states that hundreds of Gardaí are planned to man the estimated 300 border crossings between the north and south of Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

According to the report, the Gardaí will work alongside 400 new customs staff who will also be sent to work in border areas.

But Commissioner Harris has said that the reports are not true and that these proposals have not been discussed by him at any stage.

Speaking at Garda Headquarters on Thursday morning, Commissioner Harris said: “Reports of 600 Gardaí to be moved to the border are entirely incorrect. I have not discussed this matter neither have I considered this proposal.

“The increasing deployment of Gardaí to all policing regions including the Northern Region is commensurate with a growing organisation.

“We continue to prepare for Brexit in line with Government Policy”.

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