A garda who gave an elderly man in a rural area an unclaimed bicycle during the Covid-19 pandemic, but failed to fill out the necessary paperwork, has been cleared of any wrongdoing by a disciplinary inquiry.
The Garda Commissioner suspended the long-serving garda for three years while the case was investigated by specialist investigators in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The garda, who serves in the midlands, gave the elderly man an unclaimed bicycle that had been in the garda station for some time after his own became unusable.
Detectives subsequently retrieved the bicycle from the elderly man and searched the garda's home in June 2020.
The garda was reinstated in August last year after the investigation was completed and he was found to have no criminal case to answer.
However disciplinary proceedings were instigated, and he was confined to "restricted duties", which meant he could not deal with the public.
The case came before a board comprised of a legal professional, a superintendent and a chief superintendent unconnected to the case.
The garda faced five disciplinary charges including discreditable conduct, disobedience, misuse of property and neglect of duty.
A four-day hearing was held two weeks ago and today the board rejected all five disciplinary charges he had faced and is to publish a report on the matter.
The board’s decision will be sent to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, who can decide to accept or reject it.
The Garda Representative Association has welcomed the decision but said it was part of a 'suspend first, ask questions later' approach to discipline.
GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin said: "This was a case where good, decent community policing which is at the very heart of why we are trusted by the people we serve was blown apart and relationships destroyed.
"In essence I believe a sledgehammer of discipline was used to crack a nut and the reputation of a long-serving member was damaged, his honesty questioned and his livelihood threatened.
"Unfortunately this once again shows the disconnect between management and those on the frontline and a lack of common sense and proportionality when investigating community facing policing issues.
"This has been systemic in An Garda Síochána of late with a policy of 'suspend first, ask questions later’ approach which has been instigated and overseen by garda management and supported by the commissioner.
"We will be raising this case and the processes involved when we meet with the Minister for Justice at her offices later today."
President of the GRA Brendan O'Connor said: "This is indicative of the atmosphere and culture in the organisation that's driving people out.
"An Garda Síochána is a community based organisation but it appears protocols take precedence over common sense," he said.
In a statement, Garda Headquarters said An Garda Síochána does not comment on individual discipline processes including the outcome of individual Boards of Inquiry.
