INTERESTING REVIEW

 Source: The Connacht Tribune 1923

The Civic Guards, which are generally regarded as one of the best things in organisation that the Irish Government has so far achieved, are now preserving peace and good order throughout the entire area of the Athenry district. There are seven guards, with an inspector, in Athenry; four and a sergeant in Craughwell; four and a sergeant in Moylough, and ten in Tuam, which is in the same district. The guards go on regular cycle patrols night and day, and never once have they been interfered with in any way in the Athenry district, nor has the smallest hostility been shown to them. The people live on perfectly friendly terms with them, and readily co-operate with them towards the preservation of the peace. This fact is illustrated in a number of ways. When the guards first came, they found laxity in public order that was the common experience of the period. They first warned licensed traders, road users, and others that the law would be enforced in future, and then proceeded to enforce it, but they found their task lightened considerably by the readiness with which the people co-operated.

AN INTERESTING CONTRAST.

A glance at their methods and numbers as compared with the old R.I.C. is interesting and instructive. The R.I.C. had up to a score of men in Athenry even before they had begun to do purely military work; they had a barracks in Tallyho, which is less than two miles outside the town, one in Riverville, one at Moyville, and barracks at Kilcolgan, Clarenbridge, Turloughmore, and Gurteen. With the exception of the two latter places, the Irish Government does not intend to increase the existing complement of guards. The old R.I.C. nearly always carried arms and relied on force rather than moral suasion even enforcing the most elementary laws. The guards act with courtesy, good temper, and patience; they have shown themselves above politics, and recognise only service to the Irish people, no matter what their station or view-point. Although a new force, they are acting up to traditions of good police work that are as old as civilisation.

GOOD RESULTS

The results are already obvious in a peaceful and well-ordered countryside. The licensing laws are enforced, and the moral discipline that their enforcement has brought about is a very valuable asset to the people. Publicans have shown a readiness to comply with the laws. Every motor vehicle operating around Athenry carries its motor license displayed as it is required to do by statute. Traffic is better regulated and there is a refreshing air of prosperity and peace in a district that was the storm-centre of Irish agitation until the land question was in some measure at least settled. It is due to the local volunteers to say that they had made the task,which the guards inherited, a relatively light one; but the guards themselves, by tact and courtesy, have done a work for which the people accord them due gratitude. Courts are functioning regularly in the areas under review, and although the guards have not yet become learned in the practical administration of the law, they are gaining useful experience and improving with every day that passes.

THE CAMP-FOLLOWERS.

Revolution always has its camp-followers – those who belong neither to one party nor the other, but who avail of unsettled conditions and civil war to gain their own ends. While all that I have said of Athenry and district is true, there are other places in the country where camp-followers of disturbed conditions seek to maintain a spirit of hostility towards the guards – fortunately without success – because they fully realise that directly disturbed conditions pass and when the guards begin to enforce the ordinary law that obtains in every civilised country for the country’s good, their opportunities for petty thefts and looting will be gone for ever. And the proudest tribute that can be paid to the guards is that they are disliked by classes that are purely criminal.

THE LURE OF ILLICIT SPIRITS

Some months ago illicit spirits were beginning to find their way into the Athenry district from Connemara. Many Connemara workers find employment with the better-to-do farmers, and they had begun to improve the shining hour by taking over poteen. In one instance the traffic was found so profitable that a shebeen was actually established. The guards came upon the scene however, and the spirit with its raw fusil oil was confiscated, and the holder fined £10. Since then the legitimate and well-conducted licensed trade has not to fear the rivalry of illegitimate and dangerous poteen-running.