Commissioner admits Sligo Gardai volunteered to help colleagues in Dublin riots

The Garda Commissioner has admitted that some Gardaí from Sligo volunteered to go to Dublin to assist their colleagues to tackle the worst night of violence the Capital has ever seen. Drew Harris is currently before the Oireachtas Justice Committee facing a grilling over how Gardai responded to the rioting and if there was a contingency plan to deal with escalating situation. He acknowledged that what happened on Thursday night was unforeseen and described the riot as an 'uncontrollable event'. Committee chair James Lawless, of Fianna Fail asked for clarification on whether Gardai from Sligo and elsewhere were officially requested, or did they go on their own accord. Responding, Drew Harris says while Gardai would have presumed they would have been contacted by management, some made themselves available unofficially: