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Welcome to the Autumn 2025 edition of the IPA Journal. Editorial
I am putting the finishing touches to this Edition just after a very successful IPA Ireland Friendship Week in Dublin, which saw 31 International guests spend most of the week touring Dublin, Meath and Wicklow, assisted by our active Regional Committees in those areas. It was certainly a great boost to IPA here, and an article will feature in the next Edition.
It is certainly seasonal, with Halloween around the corner, and of course Regional AGMs, a reminder to our Secretaries that these should be held no later than 31 October 2025. Many of our Regions have been making the most of the Summer period, with events on land and water. It has also been a productive time at National Executive level, with the new Committee working hard to implement a number of new initiatives which will hopefully improve IPA for all of our members.
In this edition, we have a mix of articles which I hope you will find of interest. Conor Kennedy was part of a large IPA Group which took on Mount Olympus in Greece, and as the article and photos show, it was a great trip with plenty of support and friendship provided by our Hellenic colleagues. Kieron Fennelly looks at a car which many of us would love to take for a spin, just be sure to keep at the Lotto! Our new regular contributor Brendan Tighe tells us about his recent trip to the Arigna Mining Experience in Leitrim, another unexplored gem in the North West.
Well done to Marie and her PSNI colleague Deirdre Mahony for another successful IPA Cross Border Seminar, with a number of interesting speakers from both sides heading to Garnerville for an event which is fully supported by both An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. IPA is also about providing professional training opportunities for its members, and it is good to see YPO members Dave and Daryll head to Germany for the Strategic Young Members Conference.
Our next Edition of the IPA Journal will be a bumper Winter/70th Anniversary Edition, including the usual Calendar for 2026. If any of our members wish to include any IPA related material or images, please do get in touch.
Finally, we would continue to encourage you to go to our website and register for online access, before downloading the IPA App. This will provide you with prompt communications on IPA activity and events worldwide. Don’t forget to turn on ‘push notifications’. We are now at over 3,000 members registered and climbing.
Happy Halloween!
Servo Per Amikeco
Chris Cahill
Editor
email: chris@ipaireland.org
IPA JOURNAL IRELAND
www.ipaireland.org
IPA Journal is distributed to members of the International Police Association in Ireland, 75% are serving members of An Garda Síochána of all ranks, the remainder being retirees. We also mail the magazine to friends of IPA Ireland overseas.
This magazine is sustained by the generous support of sponsors and advertisers; we exhort our members to appreciate this and to patronise those who contribute to our success. All revenue received by IPA in excess of requirements is devoted to philanthropic purposes. IPA provides funding for scholarships, relief of distress, charities, education, sport, cultural pursuits, bonds of friendship and co-operation between all police officers.
IPA Office:
IPA House, 13 Iona Drive, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
T: 01 830 2907 F: 01 830 4612
E: ipairish@gmail.com
Editorial Board
President: Carlo Griffin
Editor: Chris Cahill
E: chris@ipaireland.org
1st Vice President: Marie Daly
National Treasurer: Damian Crummey
Contributors
Dwayne O’ Brien
Marie Daly
Kieron Fennelly
Carlo Gri n
Dave Harney
Publishers
Real Media Group
Conor Kennedy
Brendan Matthews
Edel Moloney
Donie Sweeney
Brendan Tighe
Suite 167, CoLab Business Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
T: 074 91 77893
E: publish@realmedia.group
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in IPA Journal unless expressly stated, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, the Publications Management Committee, the International Police Association, the Publisher, An Garda Síochána or the Garda Commissioner. The Editor reserves the right to edit and abridge any material submitted for publication. Durgan Media excludes liability for any loss or damage resulting from errors or inaccuracies in the printing or omission of the whole or part of any advertisement. Further, views expressed within editorial content reflect those of the author, not those of Real Media, and are printed in good faith for informational purposes only. Advertisement material may not be reproduced without prior written permission from Real Media. The contents of the publication, such as text, graphics, images and other material may be protected by copyright under both Irish and foreign laws. Unauthorised use of the material may violate copyright, trademark and other laws.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Autumn
President’s Message
Carlo Griffin
2025
Dear Colleagues,
I hope that you are all settling into Autumn at this stage as we move into the shorter evenings. I write this piece as a now retired member of An Garda Siochana. It feels a strange statement to make after 31 years in An Garda Siochana, but it will allow me to hopefully spend more time at IPA events around the country without having to apply for the usual Annual Leave. I would like to say thank you to all the IPA members who have reached out to wish me well in my retirement, and a special thanks to Laois/Offaly Secretary, Ronan Fitzsimons who presented me with my IPA Retirement piece (my favourite one obviously).
I have just returned from a very successful World Congress, celebrating 75 years of IPA, hosted by Section Poland. I was accompanied by 1st Vice President Marie Daly and our Travel Officer Ann Liston. I was very pleased to see our former President and former member of the International Executive Board (IEB) Phyllis Nolan honoured at this event. Phyllis was the first female member of the IEB and received huge applause and a very warm welcome when she was called onto the stage to receive her presentation by International President Martin Hoffman.
I write this article as our Friendship Week kicks off in Dublin, celebrating 70 years of IPA Section Ireland. I will report on this further in our next edition. Having been privy to the organising of the week, It promises to be a fantastic week for our visitors from around the world and also for our delegates at the half yearly meeting, which for the very first time will be held in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council.
We as an NEC have been busy in the background holding meetings which included discussing and granting applications from around the country. Region 4 went to the races in Laytown, Region 20 had a visit to Spike Island, Region 22 had a cruise on Lough Derg with Region 14 organising a social event in Slane. It really is great to see such activity in regions around the country.
Our very successful Hiking Club visited Mount Olympus in Greece and were hosted by the Hellenic Section while there. I have received high praise from Section Greece about the participants from Ireland and also from our Hiking club members about how well they were looked after by those in Greece. It is lovely to see that International Friendship is never too far away.
In other news I was privileged to be able to attend our very successful National Golf Tournament in Tullamore run by our National Sports and Social Officer Donie Sweeney alongside our own local Laois/Offaly IPA member Willie O’ Grady. A very successful event all round.
Immediately after presenting the winers with their prizes in Tullamore I was on the road to Belfast to attend the Cross Border Seminar co-hosted by Deirdre Mahony, Chairperson of Region 2 UK and our own 1st Vice President, Marie Daly. Having never visited Garnerville previously, I was extremely impressed with the facilities and the organisation of this event by our hosts. The speakers at this event were top class and the topics of each presentation very well received by attendees from both sides of the border.
As I look forward to the rest of this month, I will be in attendance at our National 5 A Side Soccer event in Longford on the 17th of October. I wish the Mens and Ladies Teams well in what will no doubt be a competitive day of Sport.
Yours in Friendship Carlo Griffin, President, IPA Section Ireland. President IPA Ireland E: president@ipaireland.org
IPA WORLD MEET IN POLAND
Carlo Griffin
President Carlo Griffin joined Vice President Marie Daly and Travel Officer Ann Liston at the 68th IPA World Congress in Kraków, Poland, from 16th to 21st September 2025, representing Section Ireland at this annual event.
This was a special World Congress as IPA celebrated its 75th Anniversary, and all of the previous IEB members were invited, including our very own Phyllis Nolan, who was honoured at the event for her service to IPA both nationally and internationally as a member of the IEB.
RECENT REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
LAYTOWN RACES
IPA Region 4 (DMR North) attended the Laytown Races on 4th September, with the group enjoying the evening at the races. Here are some of the group cheering on their horses. Needless to say some had great wins and let’s say others were not so lucky!
Brendan Matthews
IPA Region 4
LIMERICK
IPA Region 22 Limerick held an outing on Lough Derg on 19th September when a group of members boarded the Killaloe River Cruise taking in Lough Derg and the Shannon. As you can see, the members availed of the onboard bar to stay hydrated for the trip, before heading to Flanagan’s in Ballina for food.
Edel Moloney
IPA Region 22
The Region availed of an Activity Grant from national funds for this event, receiving €500 to fund the trip. Section Ireland would encourage all Regions to plan social activity, there are funds available subject to the usual grant criteria.
MOUNT OLYMPUS
MOUNTAIN OF THE GODS
Conor Kennedy
ON THE SAME WEEK IN AUGUST FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, THE GREEK IPA GROUPS OF PIERA, IMATHIA, THESSALONIKI, FOKIDA AND HALKIDIKI HAVE HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL HIKE TO THE ICONIC MOUNT OLYMPUS, LOCATED ABOUT 80KM SOUTH OF THE CITY OF THESSALONIKI, IN THE NORTHERN PART OF GREECE. THIS YEAR HOWEVER, OVER THE 6TH AND 7TH OF AUGUST, THERE WAS ANOTHER GROUP JOINING THEM ON THE EXCURSION, THE IPA IRELAND HIKING CLUB. THE HIKING CLUB WAS FOUNDED BY DANNY DEVLIN SOME EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS HE WHO HAD MADE THE CONNECTION WITH THE VARIOUS IPA GROUPS FROM THIS REGION OF GREECE.
Withinthe 22 Irish contingent who travelled, the ages ranged over a span of almost 60 years between the youngest, Ruben, to our eldest, showing that this activity has no generational boundaries. The Chairperson of the hiking club Lorraine Wheatley and other committee member John Heraughty were also on the trip. Various routes were taken by the members of the Irish group to reach their meeting destination in Greece, with some members staying in IPA apartments in both Thessaloniki and Athens, before making their way to the small town of Litochoro, at the foot of the Olympus Mountain range, on Monday the 4th of August.
The following morning, the Local Government of Pieria, in cooperation with the Local Administration of Trikala, invited the IPA Ireland group for a bus tour of the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora. Members from both Greek organisations were present to explain the fascinating history of the region, and point out some of the amazing buildings and landscapes that were on view. It was a great experience for those present and a great introduction to this region of Greece for a lot of our group. On returning, the group was shown the traditional settlement of the old Agios Panteleimon, where we were invited for lunch, hosted by the President of IPA Pieria Region, Glika, who overseen our whole trip to ensure all out needs were attended to. It was also a great opportunity to experience some of the local cuisine. It was a great moment of connection, for both the Greek and Irish. It was also a great opportunity for the Irish to learn more about the deeply historic region in which they would be spending the upcoming week. It epitomised the meaning of our IPA motto “Servo Per Amikeco” meaning Service through friendship.
After an early night, the IPA Ireland group met for breakfast in the hotel dining room at 6am Wednesday morning. Our hosts in the Afroditi hotel went above and beyond to accommodate us throughout the week and adjusted the breakfast times to suit our plans on several occasions. After a big breakfast, and as much last-minute preparation as possible, the group climbed aboard the bus to take the 30-minute drive to the beginning of the Mount Olympus trail which started at Gortsia. It was once we disembarked from the bus that we met all the members of the various Greek IPA groups who take part in this hike annually. Including the 22 Irish, there were a total of 56 people taking part in this two-day trip to the mountain known as the ‘Mountain of the Gods’.
After a short briefing from our hike leader Miki in the car park, the hike expedition began around 7:15am. Eleni Sarakatsianou, who assisted in the guiding, ensured that every assistance was given to anyone who would struggle along the way. No stone was left unturned when it was organised. Despite the obvious language barrier, connections between the Greeks and the Irish
began to be made very early during the hike, and the excellent level of care and patience shown by the Greek team leaders was something that was remarked on by all members of our group.
The beginning of the hike was challenging but rewarding as we trekked through the beautiful forests that cover the lower parts of the Olympus range. The terrain was di cult, but the use of proper equipment and the preparation and training that had been done by all members of the IPA Ireland group, meant that everyone was able to arrive at the half way point for lunch around 12pm. After some hot food from the canteen and a nice rest, the 56 strong group slowly got going again in staggered starts for the second, and more challenging, half of the hike. Gradually, the forests opened up into a stunning 360-degree view of the huge mountains, the distant sea and the vast landscapes in between them. The last of the 56 arrived at the final destination for the night around 5pm after almost 2,000m of an uphill trek from Gortsia.
Thankfully our excess luggage, which was transported up on Mule-back had arrived just before us. The destination was the
Giosos Apostolidis Refuge, in the heart of the Muses Plateau, which was our home for the night, at an altitude of 2,690m. Here we all were given another hot meal and after debriefing the long hike from the day before, most of our crew had an early night.
The following morning, 10 of the Irish group were up early again to take on the summit which was overlooking our refuge. Mount Olympus has 52 di erent peaks, but the 10 members of the Irish team were summiting the Mytikas peak, also known as the “Throne of Zeus”, which stands at 2,918m and is the highest point of the mountain and the highest point in Greece itself. After a brief safety demonstration, we were harnessed and helmeted up and we made our way over to the base of the summit. In two teams of five, we carefully made our way up the 200m ascent with the expert guidance of the two local climbers who were leading us.
This part of the trek held a certain amount of danger due to the steepness, where loose rocks could easily dislodge and come at you at speed, hence the helmets. After thirty minutes of carefully scrambling up the sheer rockface, at times on all fours, the first team arrived at the summit, quickly followed by the second. After some hugs, biscuits and a group photo above the clouds, the descent back down the mountain held the
same dangers as the ascent. On reaching the base of the summit, it was back to the refuge before the departure back down the mountain again with the rest of the group. It was a special moment for those involved that will not be forgotten.
Returning down the mountain was less challenging than the hike up and every one of the 56-strong group was in high spirits. The language barrier did not inhibit a great deal of interaction between the Irish and Greek people, with many laughs shared throughout the journey, sometimes without words even being spoken. Upon returning to the car park where we had met the day before, the mood was one of satisfaction and delight at what all of the members of the hike had accomplished. Not even the sore legs could dampen the mood which was shared between everyone as we waited together for all the members of the team to regroup for one last time.
After some badly needed showers and some rest back at our hotel, the Irish group was joined by 6 members of the Greek IPA for dinner that evening. Once again, the atmosphere was fantastic as everyone shared their own experiences of the hike. Some fantastic speeches were made by the various members of the Greek IPA groups as well as from Danny and Lorraine.
The one thing that everyone agreed on most was without a doubt the special bond that had been created between the Greek and Irish groups, which was best summarised by Rula, the husband of IPA member Theo, who missed watching an important European match of his favourite football team to spend the night with us, and who also made several round trips after the meal in his car to bring everyone back to the hotel.
This kindness epitomised the Greek people that made this week so special for all 22 of the Irish group. The same kindness that was matched throughout the trip, from our exceptional hosts at the Afroditi hotel to the owner of the local outdoor sports equipment shop called ‘55 peaks’, who greeted some of our members with a tasting of whiskey when they visited. It was a truly remarkable week that we cannot thank our Greek hosts enough for, and we are all looking forward to returning the same hospitality to them on a future hike in Ireland.
A special word of thanks has to go to our Greek IPA friend Kostas, who from the initial planning stage was catering for our every need, recommending the best accommodation, bus companies, restaurants and helped with all our travel planning. Unfortunately, when it came to the event itself, Kostas could not join us due to work commitments in another part of Greece but Rula, who was also central to the organising, ensured that everything that was planned, fell into place e ortlessly.
MOTOR REVIEW
Porsche 911
TODAY, PORSCHE IS ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN PREMIUM BRANDS. WATCHES, SUNGLASSES, CLOTHING, SHOES, AND ONCE YOU GET INTO CAR ACCESSORIES, THE LIST BECOMES ENDLESS. BUT IT ALL BEGAN WITH A MODEST LOOKING, BEAUTIFULLY ENGINEERED TWO-SEATER COUPÉ, FIRST SEEN AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW IN 1948.
That car’s successor appeared in 1963, with a less obvious but still slightly beetle-esque hump (the original Porsche was designed by the same people who produced the Volkswagen) as well as an air-cooled engine in the back. Motoring correspondents were intrigued, though in the era of the E type Jaguar, most had anticipated the new Porsche might have slightly more racy lines or a more conventional engine layout.
But it transpired that this unusual sports car from a small manufacturer in Stuttgart was here to stay. And the 911 didn’t change, gaining only wider tyres, bigger bumpers and above all ever more powerful, but still air-cooled rear engines. Even before its twentieth birthday something of an automotive icon, a renowned motoring journalist, Peter Robinson, had been struck off Porsche’s press list for daring to suggest the 911 should be put out to pasture. He would be excluded from Porsche’s press list for fifteen years.
Kieron Fennelly
Of course, even in 1978, Robinson had a point. By almost any measure, the Porsche 911 with its torsion bar suspension and engine behind the back wheels was obsolete even then, yet its makers kept updating it, kept improving it, made it ever faster and sold more each year. And above all, each new model still looked recognisably ‘911’. Even in the twenty first century, adapted for safety requirements, emissions norms, ever more complex electronics not to mention the creature comforts expected of a premium car, the 911 was still a 911.
Today 75% of Porsche’s production is luxury SUVs. In the late 1990s, Porsche cannily recognised that the growing taste for high riding ‘sports utility vehicles’ offered far fatter profit margins than the relatively small sports car market and diverged with great success, to the point where in the newer markets of the Middle and Far East, Porsches are known only as big, expensive 4x4s. Porsche purists have complained about this ‘diluting’ of the brand, but there is no argument that financially it has enabled the company to keep making sports cars above all its flagship, the 911.
In 2025, with the all-electric horizon only ten years away, the petrol-driven Porsche 911 continues to flourish with as bewildering variety as ever, between the base Carrera and (at rather more than twice the price) the Turbo S 50. Our review looks at the Carrera T, the first rung up the 911 ladder.
The T (for ‘Touring’ says Porsche) is supposedly more for the ‘keen driver,’ a nuance which understandably might be lost on the uninitiated who might reasonably imagine that anyone buying (or able to buy) a 911 was a ‘keen driver’ anyway.... The Carrera T distinguishes itself by having a lowered suspension and adjustable dampers, more heavily bolstered
Motor Review: Porsche 911
sports seats and a rear devoid of the occasional seats and ‘Carrera T’ door decals (optional) so that the neighbours know exactly what you are driving. But the real novelty is a six-speed manual gearbox, a mechanical device which has long disappeared from premium sports cars and now largely confined to bottom of the range petrol cars. Once you had to pay extra for automatic transmission, now you pay more for the privilege of changing gear yourself.
You have to stoop quite low to get into a 911, but once inside, the Porsche exudes quality. Upholstered largely in stitched leather, with none of the garishness of a modern Mercedes, the instrument panel is inevitably digital, but at least has an analogue-looking rev counter centre stage. The unfamiliar (in a modern Porsche) gear stick has a tasteful wooden knob and a little plaque beside it to remind occupants of the manual transmission. With ‘H’ pattern stickers in the rear windows as well, Porsche’s marketing department has indulged in an element of overkill.
Porsches have always enjoyed outstanding ergonomics-all the controls fall to hand even if for older drivers, the digital screen will take some learning, but this is an occupational hazard in any modern car. Porsche’s famous ‘flat-six’ fires with a subdued roar and you are away. It is all surprisingly easy – the gearshift is intuitive, the clutch just the right weight, the steering very precise and again nicely weighted and for a moment, you could almost be driving any car. Depressing the accelerator however has the 911 take off like few other cars, but the brakes are authoritative and progressive and like the other dynamic aspects of the 911, they feel all the more impressive once you start pressing on.
this entry-level and still relatively mechanical Porsche responds almost uncannily to its driver.
Since 2016, almost all 911s have been turbocharged which means that instead of having to be revved, they pull hard from 2000rpm which makes it easier to make progress, but the pleasure of manipulating the Porsche’s gearstick will encourage our ‘keen driver’ to change ratios more often than strictly necessary. Indeed, given a challenging stretch of road, most 911 drivers would rise to the bait. Porsches have always been about (unusably) high top speed and blinding acceleration. Today’s premium electric cars will match the initial acceleration figures, but what they cannot do is even begin to match the 911’s ability to combine fast progress with an immense feeling of safety.
This may seem paradoxical, but this entry-level and still relatively mechanical Porsche responds almost uncannily to its driver. It has the obligatory anti-skid control of course, but much is left in the driver’s hands rather than dictated through a fog of software control; at 1520kg, the Carrera T is almost a tonne lighter than a large EV and although the 911T is still a big car, underway it seems to shrink around the driver and conducting it along the open road becomes an immersive pleasure, the Porsche seeming to meld with the driver. The upshot is a car which brings out the inner Emerson Fittipaldi in the mature driver, it flatters good driving (yet like all 911s, will punish beyond a certain excess) and rewards good decision-making. The journey itself becomes an object of intense satisfaction.
Motor Review: Porsche 911
Against that, the 911 T is not the ideal companion at the fixed speeds of a long motorway stretch. Noise levels in the cabin are high: Porsche has reduced the amount of sound deadening on the ‘T’ and the result is a tiring drone which eventually can have you wishing you had ear defenders. High cabin sound levels is a well-known drawback of 911s. Not many 911s come to Ireland: the import tax (doubling the UK price) is punitive, but a few do. The well-known Irish motorsport photographer, Esler Crawford used to tear from one end of the country to other in a series of 911s, his Porsche very much his calling card. In a rational world, nobody needs a Porsche, but if you that ‘keen driver’ and sufficiently irrational (and can afford to be) the Porsche 911 Touring is unlikely to disappoint you. And should you hesitate, there is always the (10%) cheaper Carrera which is just as fast, a shade quieter and will change gear for you.
six cylinders horizontally opposed; twin turbochargers
0-62mph 4.5s
six-speed manual gearbox; rear wheel drive
MARKETING
IPA IRELAND POLICE RUGBY
The IPA Marketing Team and the IAC has been working hard behind the scenes to strengthen the way we communicate, promote, and present our Association to members and the wider public. Their efforts are focused not only on showcasing the many benefits of membership but also on ensuring that our image and processes reflect a modern, professional, and welcoming organisation.
Key Areas of Focus
Social Media Calendar of Events
A dedicated calendar has been developed to ensure our social media channels highlight key IPA activities and international events throughout the year. This provides members with timely updates, consistent engagement, and global visibility of our initiatives.
Promoting IPA Houses
One of the most valued benefits of membership—the unique network of IPA Houses around the world— is being given special focus. Through engaging campaigns, the team is highlighting the convenience, affordability, and camaraderie that IPA Houses provide to members during travel.
Niche Promotion Strategies
The marketing team is exploring innovative and targeted ways to promote our Association, reaching audiences with fresh ideas that emphasize both professional and personal development opportunities.
Streamlined Branding
BUSINESS INNON
To ensure consistency and professionalism across all communications, the team is working on a refreshed brand strategy. This will help present a clear, recognizable, and unified image of the IPA at both national and international levels.
New Website
A brand-new website is in development, designed to be more user-friendly, informative, and visually appealing. This digital hub will serve as a central resource for members and potential members alike, showcasing the very best of the IPA.
Digitalising Processes
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In line with modern needs, the team is also working on digital solutions to simplify processes, improve accessibility, and create smoother experiences for our members worldwide.
Looking Ahead
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The work of the marketing team is helping to secure the future of our Association by strengthening its image, promoting its values, and ensuring that members everywhere can take full advantage of the many opportunities the IPA offers. Together, these initiatives are not just about visibility—they are about making sure the IPA remains relevant, vibrant, and inspiring for generations to come.
AN
PIECE OF LEITRIM HISTORY
Brendan Tighe
ON THE 5TH TO 7TH SEPTEMBER 2025, SECTION IRELAND MEMBERS DAVE HARNEY AND DWAYNE O’ BRIEN JOINED ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL GILLIAN O’ DONOGHUE IN GIMBORN CASTLE, GERMANY FOR THE STRATEGIC YOUNG OFFICERS CONFERENCE. DAVE AND DWAYNE SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE IPA JOURNAL.
My name is David Harney. I am a serving Sergeant and a Leader of the Young Police Officers Forum. On the 5th and 6th of September, I had the privilege of representing Section Ireland at the International Police Association (IPA) Strategic Young Officers Conference, held at the impressive Schloss Gimborn in Germany. Also in attendance was Gillian O’Donoghue, Assistant Secretary General of Section Ireland and Dwayne O’Brien from the Young Police Officers Forum.
The conference brought together young police leaders from across the globe, with officers attending from Estonia, Lithuania, Japan, Spain, England, Scotland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany.
Our programme was as diverse as our participants. We explored IPA “On Patrol” events, the Section Ireland Mentoring Programme, strategies for targeted communication in digital spaces, the potential of large language models in social media, and the exciting opportunities offered by inter-section exchanges and study trips.
Of course, the formal sessions were only half the story. As is tradition at Schloss Gimborn, many of the most valuable conversations took place informally — in the bar, over a well-earned German beer, where cultural exchange and networking thrived just as much as during the lectures.
One of the highlights for me was the chance to share Section Ireland’s mentoring initiatives, and I’m delighted to report that we now plan to host an On-Patrol event in Ireland in 2026. It promises to be a fantastic opportunity to showcase our hospitality, our policing experience, and of course, a little Irish craic.
The conference was a reminder of the real strength of the IPA: building international friendships that go beyond uniforms, ranks, and borders.
Dave Harney
As a member of the International Police Association, Section Ireland, I had the privilege of taking part in my very first IPA trip this September attending the Young Police Officers Seminar in Gimborn, Germany.
The objective of the seminar was to explore ways to attract and retain younger members within the IPA, while strengthening engagement among officers under 35. This was a unique opportunity to meet colleagues from across Europe and beyond, each bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas for the future of the organisation.
Although the seminar lasted only three days, it was a packed schedule of workshops, presentations, and networking. The sessions focused on the challenges of modern policing, but more importantly, on how international cooperation and exchange can help overcome those challenges. Sharing experiences with fellow officers highlighted just how much we have in common, regardless of borders, languages, or policing systems.
Outside the formal sessions, the informal conversations and social activities were just as valuable. I was able to build connections and friendships with officers from around the world — people I hope to stay in contact with for years to come.
The historic setting of Gimborn Castle, long associated with the IPA’s training and international exchange programmes, gave the seminar a real sense of purpose and tradition. Being part of this event gave me a deeper appreciation of what IPA membership can mean, and how important it is to involve younger colleagues in opportunities like this.
I return home from my first IPA trip with new ideas, new contacts, and a strong motivation to encourage more officers to join and actively participate in the IPA.
Dwayne O’ Brien
A great turnout in Tullamore
On the 27th August 2025 the IPA National Golf Finals took place in Tullamore Golf Club. This year the standard was very high and played in Ryder cup fashion. A total of 46 IPA members took part in this year’s competition. The golf kicked off at 11am with teams of two playing each other in a fourball better ball Stableford format.
The weather on the day was very favourable and the course was in excellent condition. It had all the signs of high scores being produced. After a very competitive few hours the teams began arriving back in the clubhouse.
The cards were all fully checked by Willie O’ Grady our golf expert and a local IPA member, and as a result the top five teams were revealed:
1st Brendan Mc Donagh/Martin Whelan 48pts
2nd Barry Walsh/Ger Dillane 45 pts
3rd Kieran Staed/Dermot O’ Connor 45pts
4th Pat Smith/Tim Ferguson 45 pts
5th Paraic Conlon/ Peter Conlon 45 pts
The presentation took place after a fine meal in the clubhouse. Our president Carlo Griffin made a fine speech welcoming all the IPA members to his home region in Tullamore. I would like to thank James Codd our Supplies Officer for all his assistance on the day.
Servo per Amikeco
Donie Sweeney
Social and Clubs officer
A SURPRISE VISITOR!
BARRY WALSH, DONIE SWEENEY, GER DILLANE, CARLO GRIFFIN AND DECLAN O’ BYRNE
PADRAIC CONLON, DONIE SWEENEY, CARLO GRIFFIN, PETER CONLON, DECLAN O’ BYRNE
DONIE SWEENEY, KIERAN STAED, DERMOT O’ CONNOR, CARLO GRIFFIN, DELCAN O’ BYRNE
Gimborn Seminars 2025
SECTION IRELAND ARE DELIGHTED TO CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF SENDING TEN (10) IPA MEMBERS TO POLICE RELATED TRAINING COURSES/SEMINARS AT THE IPA’S INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTRE AT GIMBORN CASTLE, GERMANY.
Did you know that apart from the IPA Ireland sponsored Seminars at Gimborn, any IPA member can participate in these unforgettable week long training events in Germany, at a very reasonable €369 for most courses, and this includes accommodation and all meals! Flights to Cologne Airport can be got for well under €100. For more information about any of these Seminars, just contact us and we will be glad to assist in the booking process.
The 2026 Seminar Programme will be out later this year, but its worth taking a look at what Seminars took place this year, all very relevant and a great opportunity to upskill in areas such as OSINT. Its still not too late to join one of the remaining ones this year!
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für Polizeibehörden – Ein länderübergreifender Austausch für Entscheidungsträger
