Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Disciplinary Actions.

Tony Killeen

Ceist:

382 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 6 February 1996, whether internal sworn or unsworn inquiries were held in accordance with the 1989 discipline regulations in relation to the officers retained in employment; and the penalties, if any, which were imposed in each of these three cases. [19063/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The reply to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 6 February 1996 referred to two members of the Garda Síochána convicted of common assault in 1991 who were allowed to continue to serve on the force.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that in one of these cases the breach of discipline was processed in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations, 1989. This regulation prescribes the procedure to be followed by the Garda authorities where certain breaches of discipline are admitted and the holding of an inquiry is, therefore, unnecessary. The penalty imposed in this case was a temporary reduction in pay.

In the second case the complaint was processed under the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act, 1986. The Garda Complaints Board referred the matter to a tribunal hearing which found the garda in breach of discipline and imposed a fine equivalent to four weeks pay.