Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Resources.

John Gormley

Question:

683 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to an article published in a newspaper (details supplied) on 28 May 2003 in which a person tells how a Garda car was used to take them from a pub in Donnybrook to Dublin Airport after the European Cup Final; his views on whether this is a good use of scarce Garda resources; if he has spoken to the Garda Commissioner in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15777/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that on 24 May 2003 a Garda sergeant from Donnybrook station arranged for two prominent rugby players to be brought to Dublin Airport in a Garda vehicle so that they would not miss their flight out of the country. Both players had earlier played a rugby match at Lansdowne Road in which two French teams, namely, Toulouse and Perpignan, competed in the Heineken Cup Final. The circumstances have been investigated by a Garda investigator and the Garda sergeant concerned is being dealt with under the terms of the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 1989.