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Shock break with tradition as gardai ‘seriously annoyed’ over NO invite to New York St Patrick’s Day parade

Despite the matter never being raised with garda headquarters, officers have not been invited to the event next month

• John Hand, News and Crime Correspondent

• Published: 18:46, 8 Feb 2024
• Updated: 20:52, 8 Feb 2024

GARDAI have not been invited to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in New York, the Irish Sun has learned.

The organising committee have broken a long-running tradition which saw members of the force travel to the huge event on March 17 on an annual basis.

Sources say it appears that its coordinators took issue with the gardai who were in attendance last year.

It is understood they were told to march later than they usually would, but gardai ending up walking behind members of the New York Police Department as they usually would.

Despite the matter never being raised with garda headquarters, officers have not been invited to the event next month.

A source said: “This is a tradition that has been ongoing for decades so it’s caused serious annoyance among members.”

It’s understood that senior gardai are working to try and resolve the matter.

Garda members received an email on Thursday telling them they will not be allowed to bring their official uniform out of the state for the New York parade.

It read: “It has emerged that the organising committee of the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York City has not issued an invitation to members of An Garda Siochana to participate in this year’s parade.

“The wishes of the organising committee must be respected.

“Consequently no garda member will be granted permission to bring items of official uniform out of the state for the purposes of marching in the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York City. Should that position change, an update will issue.

“Any permission that was previously granted is hereby rescinded.”

A garda spokesperson said: “It is entirely a matter for parade organisers who they invite to take part in their parades and when they close for applications to take part in their parades.

“An Garda Siochana is seeking to clarify this particular situation.

‘Regulations in place’

“There are regulations in place in relation to Gardai bringing the Garda uniform outside of the State, which require individual Gardai to apply for such permission.

“As there is currently no invitation to take part in this particular event, no such permissions are granted for this particular event.

“Gardai wishing to take part in other such parades abroad can still apply for this permission to take their uniform outside of the State.

“When permission is granted, Gardai travel to such events at their own expense.”