RTÉ poll shows people think the gardaí are siding with Shell

mayo | crime and justice | other press Wednesday September 10, 2008 20:24 by Dept of Justice Watcher

Finding must trouble Dermot Ahern

RTE are currently running an online poll ' Are the Gardai putting the interests of Shell ahead of the interests of the public by arresting the two fishermen?' on their news web page: http://www.rte.ie/news/index.html

It's not how clear what the final result will be, but so far it looks like a clear majority think the police are not the impartial force they should be.

Obviously, many on the left have long given up on the idea of the police as being anything other than a security force to protect property.

Irish Republicans have also had little respect for the notion that the gardaí are an unbiased, impartial force.

But the general population in the 26 counties have historically had a certain respect for the police.

Findings like today's poll must give cause for concern to those who wish to see the garda siochána function as an impartial defender of community values.

The poll is still going- check out the current result at http://www.rte.ie/news/index.html