Policing has never been more difficult according to the author of a new book on the history of the Gardaí in Longford.
The well known former Garda believes that current members of the force face a tougher challenge today then Gardaí dealt with up to 20 years ago.
Retired Garda Sergeant Jim McDonald has put together the book marking 100 years of Gardaí in Longford, along side local historian Eamonn Brennan.
The book is titled 'Celebrating the History of An Garda Síochána in Longford' and will be launched at a special event in Edgeworthstown Library on Wednesday evening at 7.30.
The publication is part of the Garda centenary celebration and commemoration, and will raise money for County Longford Hospice Homecare.
Speaking to Let's Talk today, Jim McDonald says that the history of the people of Longford and the Gardaí is closely intertwined.
'I'll never forget walking out the gates of Templemore, and an instructor, a sergeant pulled me aside.
He said '' Look it son, you're after being drilled in law and everything like that for the last 6 months. But remember one thing when you go out those gates, its 90% common sense and 10% law.''
I never, ever forgot that until the day I retired. and that's the way I policed. I was a great advocator of community policing, I was never as happy as when I was walking the beat.'
