Law & Order
Contents
Irish Police Force
The police force in the Republic of Ireland is called the Garda Síochana (guardians of the peace), usually referred to as the Garda or plural Gardaí (pronounced as gar-dee). The force is unarmed and very friendly and serves the whole community. The Garda emergency numbers are 999 and 112. However it does not always require a crisis to contact the Gardaí – if you find yourself in difficulty you can contact the Gardaí and you will find them co-operative and helpful. If for any reason a Garda needs to ask you for identification, you should co-operate and supply all the identification or documentation asked from you. It is advisable to be polite and stay calm at all times. The Garda should tell you the reason you are being stopped – if not you should ask. In the unlikely event that you are arrested you must be treated fairly, politely and with respect. The Gardaí are governed by a strict code of behaviour that recognises your rights, including the right to legal advice. (see below)
Contact Details
The main Garda Station in Cork is Anglesea Street Cork Tel: 021 4522086
You can also call the Garda Confidential line, Freephone: 1800 666111
Legal Advice
If you are in need of legal advice and assistance, you can contact a solicitor. The contact number and addresses of solicitors can be found in the Golden Pages. If you can’t afford a solicitor, you may qualify for legal aid (usually civil cases only). Legal aid is available to any non-national, regardless of their status, if their income is below a certain level (although it should be noted that there are often lengthy waiting lists). Free legal aid clinics are also held in the city centre CIC (see page ii). If you are an asylum seeker going through the asylum process you can access free legal services from the Refugee Legal Service.
Contact Details
Legal Aid Board
1A South Mall
Cork
Tel:021 4275998,
or
Legal Aid Board
North Quay House,
Popes Quay, Cork
Tel: 021 4551686
Refugee Legal Service
Jones Engineering Building,
Euro Business Park
Little Island Cork
Tel: 021 451000
Free Phone: 1800 202420
Discrimination
The law says that you cannot be discriminated against directly or indirectly in the provision of a wide range of goods and services, (such as accommodation, entertainment, credit and banking facilities, transport and education) on any of the following grounds: gender, marital status, family status, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, nationality and ethnic origin. There is also a law, which bans the public use of words, written material or behaviour, which may result in hatred of particular groups.
If you are being harassed, you can contact the Gardaí in Anglesea Street or call 021 4522000 for advice.
If you feel you have been discriminated against, you can complain to the Equality Tribunal but this must be done within 2 months of the incident. For initial advice on any case, you can contact the Equality Authority.
Contact Details
Equality Authority
2 Clonmel Street, Dublin 2.
Tel:014173333 or LoCall 1890 245545,
www.equality.ie
Equality Tribunal
3 Clonmel Street Dublin 2
Tel:01 4174100 LoCall 1890 344424