The twentieth century in Ireland saw colonial rule, the nationalist movement, the attainment of independence through a divisive treaty, civil war, poverty, the Northern Irish Conflict, and more recently the Celtic Tiger, the impact of globalisation and secularisation. Each of these changes brings substantive challenges for police forces. This book critically evaluates how the Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, was influenced by and responded to the substantially changes which Ireland underwent. Incorporating data from oral history interviews, analysis of policing literature, historical documents, government debates and newspapers this book assesses how the police force reacted to the intense social, political, cultural and economic changes.