{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/698da925fe55e6c6c39901f5?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Possible Garda Shortage for St. Patrick’s Day - 12/02/2026","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/1770889923357-d8d54ff8-e95b-43fd-aaa1-885ccee7906c.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The organisation that represents more than 11,000 frontline ­gardaí has voted to take industrial action over the three days around St Patrick’s Day – traditionally an extremely busy time for policing.</p><p><br></p><p>At a Special Delegates Conference in Co Kilkenny yesterday four “urgent motions” were passed by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) as a response to its dispute with the Government over allowances and pay.</p><p><br></p><p>Frontline gardaí will not ­engage in “voluntary overtime” on the three days, inclusive from March 16 next, it was decided. This means there will be a ­potential shortage of gardaí to police the festivals and parades that take place across the ­country on St Patrick’s Day.</p><p><br></p><p>Assistant General Secretary at the GRA, Tara McManus, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tellus more about this.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}