An Garda Síochána

Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Questions (446)

Patrick Costello

Question:

446. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who are currently suspended in relation to alleged corruption offences in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42447/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will revert to the Deputy again when this is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 446 of 3 October 2023 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí who are currently suspended in relation to alleged corruption offences in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

However, I can confirm that 10 members of An Garda Síochána were suspended from duty in the last ten years in respect of alleged corrupt or improper practice. The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out these suspensions by duration. Please be advised that the year of suspension is not disclosed for operational security reasons.

Member	Duration of Suspension
Member 1	1 to 2 years (Ended)
Member 2	Less than 6 months (Ended)
Member 3	1 to 2 years (Ended)
Member 4	2 to 3 years (Ended)
Member 5	1 to 2 years (Ongoing)
Member 6	1 to 2 years (Ongoing)
Member 7	1 to 2 years (Ongoing)
Member 8	1 to 2 years (Ongoing)
Member 9	6 months to 1 year (Ongoing)
Member 10	Less than 6 months (Ongoing)