“Irish Garda Intelligence Chief” – with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn

SpyCast

Summary

Michael McElgunn (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in the Republic of Ireland. Michael is the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána’s Crime and Security Intelligence Service.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

• The history of An Garda Síochána
• The intelligence components of the Garda
• The present state of Northern Ireland relations
• Current threats to Irish national security

Reflections

• The value of collaboration
• Evolving alongside a changing world

And much, much more …

Quote of the Week

“I think people should in general take comfort from the work that is done by intelligence services and the exceptional collaboration that there is with these services to keep people safe. And that is not just at home, that's abroad – Where we come into possession of a piece of intelligence that we feel will be a value elsewhere, we'll share that elsewhere.” – Michael McElgunn.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

• Kenya, East Africa, and America with African Intelligence Chief Wilson Boinett (2023)
• St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
• Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
• The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

• A Brief History of Ireland, T. Lambert, Local Histories, n.d. [Short article]
• Our History, An Garda Síochána, n.d. [Web page]
• The Troubles, J. Wallenfeldt, Encyclopedia Britannica [Encyclopedia entry]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

• We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland, F. O’Toole (Liveright, 2023)
• Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, P. R. Keefe (Anchor, 2020)
• Policing Twentieth Century Ireland: A History of An Garda Síochána, V. Conway (Routledge, 2013)
• The Guarding of Ireland – The Garda Síochána and the Irish State 1960–2014: A History of the Irish Police Force, C. Brady (Gill Books, 2014)

Primary Sources

• Gárda Síochána (Temporary Provisions) Act (1923)
• Royal Irish Constabulary Office Preliminary Arrangements for Disbandment, Garda Archives (1922)
• Orders for the Guidance of the Troops, Garda Archives (1919)
• National Union of Police and Prison Officers, National Museum of Ireland (1919)
• The Police and the Nation, Garda Archives (1916)
• 1916 Proclamation, National Museum of Ireland (1916)

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