Building up a rapport and knowing the local youngsters helps keep them out of trouble

Softly, softly approach is working best as officers mingle with vulnerable youths

- BY DANNY DE VAAL

WE LEFT Finglas Garda Station shortly after 5pm. The rain, which had hammered down for most of the day, had just begun to ease.

The respite from the downpours also coincided with the start of this newspaper's time with officers from the station's community policing unit on Saturday, June 14.

We joined Garda Aidan McHugh, Garda Sharon Clarke and Sergeant Noel Monaghan. We got firsthand experience of what it's like to police an area that usually comes to national prominence for all the wrong reasons.

The officers believe the negative connotations some members of the public have about Finglas are unwarranted and once the high-profile incidents are removed from the equation it's a regular community with hardworking families.

Locals are still reeling after programmes like "Inside the K" made the area appear like a warzone, when in reality, they were a collection of incidents that took place over a number of years.

While all three are still regular gardai, they view themselves slightly differently from those in other units. The first main difference is the patrol vehicle.

Apart from a few "Garda" markings embossed on the bonnet and door. It doesn't have a fluorescent wrap like regular patrol vehicles.

The white SUV is nondescript, and the officers feel it makes them more approachable when driving around.

Gardai from Sgt Monaghan's unit spend considerable time getting to know youngsters in the area through school talks and while out on patrol.

Conversations revolve around the score of the previous night's football match with some gentle ribbing thrown in for good measure.

Their particular beat also allows them to spend more time engaging with locals compared with officers on the regular unit.

Shortly after leaving the station, two young children came up to the window as we meandered through a housing estate. Garda McHugh and Garda Clarke knew them both from various school talks over the years.