Garda detective is awarded more than €250k after he was under criminal investigation for lending a pensioner a bike
Garda bosses have paid out more than €250,000 to a member of the force who was suspended for three years for lending a bicycle to a pensioner farmer at the height of COVID-19.The highly regarded detective, who has around 30 years' unblemished service, is understood to have settled the High Court case he took over his treatment in recent weeks.RTÉ News reported on Tuesday that he settled his case against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General for more than €270,000 – a sum that includes his own legal fees.The detective, who is based in the Midlands, had taken a person injuries case over the affair – which started during the COVID crisis in June 2020.He was suspended and then subject to a criminal investigation by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation for lending an aged neighbour a bicycle that was being stored at the rear of a Garda station.The officer told his superior that he was going to be lending the neighbour the bike – which was one of a number of unclaimed bicycles being stored at the station for some time.But, despite that, he became the centre of a criminal investigation, involving the force’s most elite detective unit and was also suspended.Gardai then sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions who ruled in mid-2022 that the officer was not to face any charges – but the force did not lift his suspension.He remained suspended for another 15 months, something that was only lifted in August 2023, after an internal disciplinary process cleared him of any wrongdoing.He then took his personal injuries High Court case – that had more than 35 different grounds.They included negligence, breach of duty and breach of contract - including failing in its duty of care, searching his home and suspending him without any appropriate basis.It’s understood the case was settled about a fortnight ago. The settlement included a confidentiality agreement.His legal team was not available for comment.But the 11,500-strong rank and file Garda Representative Association, of which the detective is a member, said the officer’s treatment was shameful.General Secretary Ronan Slevin said: "While I am unaware of the exact details or terms of any confidential settlement, I can categorically state that this is a case that should never reached this point."This was a clear case of a rural garda doing his duty and helping out an isolated and vulnerable member of his community during Covid and he was pursued like a criminal. This member was left suspended for years without clear and fair process, which to me is shameful."I am just relieved that common sense has finally prevailed and we hope a lesson has been learned here in the value and importance of compassionate community policing, and the benefits of recognising such for the good of our members and the public we serve."Gardai said on Monday they did not comment on legal cases.But a spokeswoman added: “In general and not commenting on any individual case, Commissioner Kelly has said publicly that the Garda discipline process needs to be sped up to reduce the amount of time Gardaí are suspended for.It is hoped that the new conduct and performance regulations introduced under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 will assist in this regard.“Each Garda suspension is reviewed on a regular basis.”Want to see more of the stories you love from the Irish Mirror? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Irish Mirror as a preferred source, simply click here.
