Eddie receives medal for Kosovo mission

A NORTHSIDE
Garda working in Kosovo has received a medal for service he has given in the
country.

In February,
Inspector Eddie Hyland, from Raheny, travelled to Kosovo to take part in the
year long European Union Rule of Law (EULEX) programme.

The central aim
of the programme is to assist and support the Kosovo authorities in the rule of
law, specifically in the police, judiciary and customs areas.

Eddie is
Contingent Commander on the Irish team that comprises one inspector, three
sergeants and four gardai.

They are working
with the local police force for a year, monitoring, mentoring, and advising
(MMA). Overall, there are 33 nationalities involved in the programme.

Eddie contacted
Northside People last week to say that six months into the mission all is going
well.

“The people of
Kosovo are friendly and knowledgeable of the Irish,

? he said.

“The weather is
hot, in the 30s, and it’s dry/dusty.

?

Eddie said he
has been given lots of opportunities to travel, and has enjoyed trips to Irish
soccer matches in Macedonia and Russia.

“I have visited
Bulgaria, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia and
enjoyed the different experiences,

? he said.

“We had some
problems in Mitrovica at crossing points with Serbia but overall the experience
is worthwhile.

“I’ve been
keeping in touch with family and friends by skype and email/facebook.

?

Eddie, who is
widely respected for his work in a number of local communities, joined the
gardai in 1977 and worked his way up to become inspector in 2000. He has been
stationed at Malahide, Finglas (twice), Raheny, Howth (where he is stationed
currently), and also worked in Santry for nine years.