WIRE REPORTERS

HUMAN RIGHTS activists in Dubai have staged a protest against the presence of the Commissioner of the Irish police force, An Garda Siochana, in the Gulf Emirate.

Drew Harris is there in hot pursuit of the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang, Ireland’s premier drug cartel.

“An Garda Siochana has violated human rights many times – Heavy Gang, phone tapping – Free Nicky Kelly,” said Muhammad, a protester who did not wish to fully identify himself. “No, not because of Dubai police, because I want to study in Ireland some time. Don’t want a visit from the plod when I get there.”

Fatima, who is LGBTQIA+, said the Gardai had a fearsome reputation in the Gulf region. “My girls rugby team once played them. Brutes.”

Mr Harris, who was also a senior RUC, and PSNI, officer, and, indeed lost his father to the IRA, is said not to be in danger from any international arrest warrants or anything like that. “It’s not personal,” said Marwan, who organized the protest, “he appears to be a nice man. It’s the police force he represents.”