Gardaí flex their community muscles with ‘buses to the ploughing' initiative

A collaborative initiative involving An Garda Síochána and the IFA saw in excess of 40 people from across West Cork bused to the recent National Ploughing Championships in Fenagh in Co Carlow.

Developed by Chief Supt Con Cadogan of Bandon Garda Station and Corney Buckley, chairman of the West Cork IFA, it saw gardaí utilising three community buses from garda stations at Bandon, Macroom and Togher for the trip.

‘They saw this as an opportunity to assist the local community while also combatting rural isolation. Fostering and maintaining community relations is the cornerstone of community policing,’ said community Gda Damian White.

‘These buses are utilised to allow community groups to engage directly with members of An Garda Síochána on a one-to-one basis and give people the opportunity to go to a community event on a Garda bus.’

Those who availed of the buses to the Ploughing Championships came from all over West Cork from Bantry to Bandon and Dunmanway to Kilcrohane.

‘The weather certainly favoured the group and the trip took place in glorious sunshine,’ added Gda White.