SEVEN local Gardaí, who were vindicated after being suspended for almost six years, were given a standing ovation at the annual conference of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) this past Tuesday.
Garda Colm Geary, Garda Tom McGlinchey, Garda Niall Deegan, Garda Paul Baynham, retired Garda Peter O’Donnell, Garda Alan Griffin, and Garda John Shanahan, stood firm in the face of what the GRA described as a “witch-hunt” against them.
The seven Gardaí, who were applauded at the GRA meeting, had their lives put on hold during a prolonged investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) into alleged unlawful interference in pending or potential penalty points cases against motorists.
Following a nine-week trial, held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, between last November and last January, Gardaí Geary and McGlinchey, alongside Sergeant Michelle Leahy, Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett, and retired Superintendent Eamon O’Neill, were all acquitted of the allegations.
Arising from the same GNBCI probe, the State eventually withdrew charges brought against Gardaí Deegan, Baynham, and O’Donnell last month.
Gardaí Griffin and Shanahan were suspended but never charged following the GNBCI probe.
At the GRA conference, held in County Mayo, the seven Limerick and Clare-based Gardaí joined Detective Garda Eamon Cunnane, who had his home searched was subjected to a criminal investigation and a disciplinary inquiry until he was vindicated five years later because he loaned a bicycle to a man in his community in County Westmeath during the Covid-19 pandemic in June 2020.
All of the above Gardaí were suspended by then Garda Commissioner Drew Harris before being reinstated after being found to have done no wrong.
The cost to the State for the investigations, court proceedings, as well as subsequent civil proceedings, has so far run into millions of euro.
Garda Cunnane sued the State and received over a quarter of a million euro. Further civil actions have been initiated in respect of the other named Gardaí.
The GRA also criticised Mr Harris’ replacement, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who was attached to the GNBCI at the time.
GRA Limerick representative, Garda Frank Thornton, said the suspended Gardaí had been left “isolated” by Garda management before being reinstated.
Mr Thornton told reporters it was horrendous for the suspended members who he said had to watch their colleagues “flourish and grow” while they were “sitting at home” wondering why they had been suspended in the first place.
“It is that isolation that was really tough on them,” said Mr Thornton.
GRA delegates unanimously agreed that the current suspension policy is not fair nor equitable, and they called on Commissioner Kelly to implement a completely independent appeals process for suspended members.
Commissioner Kelly said investigations into allegations of Garda wrongdoing have been moved from GNBCI to the Garda anti-corruption unit, as well as Fiosru, formerly the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
The GRA, as well as lawyers for the suspended Gardaí, have called for an independent inquiry into the GNBCI investigation into their members.
The Minister for Justice as well as Commissioner Kelly have both said they do not see a reason for such an inquiry.