A garda detective who was suspended for more than three years for giving a man a loan of a bicycle during the Covid-19 pandemic is to receive over €250,000 in damages.
The detective, who was stationed in the midlands, took a personal injury claim against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General.
The case before the High Court was settled almost two weeks ago with a confidentiality agreement.
The detective's home was raided by officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in June 2020 after he had given a neighbour a lend of a bicycle stored at the back of the garda station.
It was one of a number of unclaimed bikes which had garda PEMS (property exhibit management system) stickers on them and had been there for some time.
The garda had informed his superior officer in advance of lending the bike to the man, who was a farmer.
However, he was suspended from duty, a criminal investigation commenced and a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who directed no charges be preferred.
GRA condemn 'shameful' suspension
General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association Ronan Slevin has criticised the suspension of the detective.
"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," he said.
"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."
The detective, who has over 30 years’ service in An Garda Síochána, remained on suspension for another 15 months before he was also subsequently exonerated in an internal disciplinary inquiry and reinstated.
He had been suspended for over three years, from June 2020 to August 2023.
The garda then took an action against the state citing 37 grounds for 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.
He said he suffered severe personal injuries and loss and sought damages for a variety of issues including loss of earnings, medical and travel expenses.
The State settled the case and agreed to pay the detective over €270,000 including his legal costs.
Neither his solicitor Damien Tansey nor any of the legal team representing the detective were available for comment today.
The detective is also taking a judicial review against the Garda Commissioner over the reduction of his pay while he was on sick leave.
That case is due back before the courts next week.
