‘Grave issue’ – Garda members suspended for almost 90k days in last 7yrs amid ‘no valid reason’ & ‘veil of guilt’ claims. It is Madness, it needs to Change Urgently. Harris needs to Go, before August.

‘The excessive duration of suspensions is a grave issue’

GARDA members have been suspended for almost 90,000 days over the past seven years.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan also said 94 cops are currently suspended, pending an investigation. Of that number, five stretch back to 2018/19, while 15 Gardai are still suspended from 2020, 14 from 2021 and 18 remain unable to work since 2022.

The combined suspension days total stands at 89,534.

The Justice Minister confirmed the new statistics in a response to a parliamentary question by Sinn Fein TD Carol Nolan.

Ronan Slevin, general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, told The Irish Sun the length of time it takes to complete probes is far too long.He said: “The excessive duration of suspensions is a grave issue.

“Members find themselves being suspended for years on end, with no valid reason for the delay in their investigations.