The political, cultural and religious beliefs of members of An Garda Síochána should always come second to their duties within the force, attendees at the annual memorial day for deceased gardaí have heard. All personal beliefs must remain with the member’s private life, said the archdeacon, adding that “when a member puts on the uniform of An Garda Síochána they are representing the State and the people, not their cultural or religious affiliations”. His comments came a month after new rules were introduced which allow female Muslim gardaí to wear headscarves and Sikh members to wear turbans. The service was celebrated by the archdeacon and the force’s Catholic chaplain, Fr Joe Kennedy and attended by the Garda Commissioner, Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan who laid wreaths with blue ribbons at the granite memorial to those killed in the force. Representatives from the State’s Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Christian Orthodox, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Baha’í and Pentecostal communities also read prayers at the event.

Source: The Irish Times May 18, 2019 16:17 UTC