snail’s pace | 

Six serving gardai suspended from duty for over four years are still being paid

‘In all cases where a Garda is suspended they are informed for the reason for the suspension’

Today at 11:06

Six serving Gardai are currently suspended from duty for over four years, we can reveal.

They are still being paid while allegations against them are being probed by GSOC.

The length of time it is taking the Garda Ombudsman to deal with complaints is causing huge anger and stress among rank and file members.

One Garda officer said: “A complaint can be made against you, you may be totally innocent and then you are suspended for years while the matter is dealt with at snail’s pace by GSOC.”

The Garda Representative Association has continually complained to GSOC, the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and the Government on the issue but their representations have fallen on deaf ears.

The six long term suspension cases were confirmed by the Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

But she also also disclosed that 18 gardai are also currently suspended for 3-4 years, 20 for 2/2 years, 37 for 1-2 years and 27 for less than a year.

As of September 22 last there were a total of 108 members suspended from the force .

She was responding to a parliamentary question from Independent Laois/Offaly TD Carol Nolan.

The Justice Minister said: “I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no maximum duration that a member of An Garda Siochana can be suspended for as each case is different and has to be decided on its merits.

“Each suspension is reviewed on a regular basis for any changes in circumstances.

“Some members are before the courts and are awaiting trials and therefore discipline investigations have to be put into abeyance, pending conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

“In other cases discipline investigations are ongoing or the case may be subject to a hearing before a Board of Inquiry or Appeal Board which all impact on suspensions.

“In all cases where a Garda is suspended they are informed for the reason for the suspension. The suspended member is informed of the availability of the Garda Employee Assistance Service and given contact details by a Liaison Officer.

“Upon suspension the member is served with a notice which sets out the conditions attached to the suspension and the entitlements or otherwise of the suspended member.”