The garda at the centre of an investigation into a stolen bicycle, which was found not to have been stolen, has been reinstated to full duties.
He was informed by a Superintendent that he had been reinstated this morning.
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) says it welcomes the news that its member has returned to full duties and says the process has vindicated its member and endorsed the integrity of his actions and decision making.
The GRA said however that the Garda Commissioner's statement to the Dail Committee of Public Accounts has done little to diffuse the anger and disillusionment felt by both the member concerned and his family and colleagues within An Garda Síochána over the entire matter.
The association accused Drew Harris of making comments that had the potential to cast a doubt over that reputation.
"This member has gone through almost four years of hell because of this investigation and now has been completely exonerated by an independent panel and the Commissioner is fully aware of this," GRA President Brendan O'Connor said.
"Again, this garda showed kindness and empathy in the true spirit of proper community policing to help a neighbour in need and he has been punished for this on a personal and professional level.
"We believe that instead of making comments which could be interpreted as questioning those findings, the Commissioner should have perhaps conceded that this entire investigation was in part mishandled, escalated and then drawn out beyond normal comprehension."
Earlier, the Minister for Justice said the garda's disciplinary process took too long to conclude.
Helen McEntee said she hoped a new system would be in place by the summer.
Commissioner Harris said this morning that all the information in relation to the case was not in the public domain, but no further action is to be taken against the garda.
Mr Harris told the PAC this morning that he had received the report and transcript of the disciplinary committee but has not studied them yet.
"We only received yesterday the report from the panel chair, and that's an important piece of information".
He added that only partial information on the case was put in the public domain.
"I am reluctant to engage in the detail of this because a lot of detail is not in the public domain," he said.
Minister McEntee said the system that was followed and worked through, "whether people like it or not."
She said that under the forthcoming Policing and Security Bill she hoped there would be a more efficient and effective system with new discipline and conduct regulations in the next few months.
While the minister said the discipline process is going to change, she today defended it saying while people may not like the timelines the process was followed in the case of the garda and the bicycle.
However, the two garda associations representing garda sergeants and inspectors have raised concerns with the minister about it and other cases which has led to some gardaí being suspended for up to five years.
The garda, the bicycle and the three-year suspension
PAC members say case eroded 'public trust'
Speaking at the PAC, Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said the case of the garda having been suspended for three years while the allocation of a bicycle to an elderly man was investigated was "fairly high profile".
"It does seem like it was a sledgehammer to crack a nut here," she said.
Ms Murphy suggested that the case "goes to the heart of how resources are deployed", and asked if three monthly reviews of suspensions are being carried out as required.
"Well, if I step back from the specific case, yes," he said.
"All suspensions are reviewed at three months", and again "should there be any change of circumstances whatsoever".
Gardaí remain open to any additional information, Mr Harris added, saying "that is a constant process".
"It does seem on the face of it that this is an extraordinary use of resources, or misuse of resources, from what I can see," Ms Murphy said.
Mr Harris rejected criticisms from rank-and-file gardaí over the decision to prosecute the garda sergeant based in the midlands for giving an elderly man a bicycle.
Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said the incident was one which contributed to an "erosion of public trust" in the force.
Mr Dillon noted that the GRA had condemned the investigation which it said "lacked a common sense and proportionality".
Asked if he agreed with that view, Mr Harris responded: "No I don't agree with that."
He said that the evidence management system deals with thousands of items, including cash, firearms and drugs, and insisted that it is "absolutely essential that we keep the integrity of that system".
"We want to be sure of the continuity of evidence" and also of "the security of property that comes into our possession".
The "very clear policy" talks "specifically talks about bicycles", he said.
"I'm not quite sure what a common sense approach is," the commissioner added, if an officer does not stick to those processes.
Mr Dillon asked if it was "proportional" that the NCBI, which deals with serious and organised crime, sent six officers "to search this man's home".
"I saw the rationale for why that was done and understand why it was done," Mr Harris replied.
"I understand the judgment of the very experienced chief superintendents: one who made the request and the second one who acceded to the request to take on the investigation," he said.
