Ireland Garda cleared of wrongdoing in giving bicycle to elderly man during pandemic
A long-serving garda stationed in the Midlands gave an unclaimed bicycle from the station storeroom to an elderly man during the pandemic after the man's own bicycle became unusable, but did not complete the required paperwork. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris suspended the garda for three years and directed the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation to probe; the investigation found no criminal behaviour and the bicycle was retrieved from the elderly man. The garda was reinstated in August 2023 on restricted duties that barred him from dealing with the public. On 5 March 2024, a sworn board of inquiry rejected all five disciplinary charges, clearing the garda of wrongdoing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Acquitted5 Mar
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A long-serving garda stationed in the Midlands gave an unclaimed bicycle from the station storeroom to an elderly man during the pandemic without filling out the appropriate paperwork.
- Where
- The incident took place at the garda's station in the Midlands.
- When
- The incident occurred during the pandemic and the garda's home was searched in June 2020.
- Cause
- The elderly man's own bicycle had become unusable.
- Investigation
- Specialist investigators in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation retrieved the bicycle from the elderly man and found no criminal behaviour in the investigation file.
- Charges
- The garda faced five disciplinary charges including discreditable conduct, disobedience, misuse of property and neglect of duty.
- In court
- A sworn board of inquiry with a lawyer and two senior ranked gardaí presided over a four-day hearing held two weeks before 5 March 2024.
- Sentence
- On 5 March 2024 the board rejected all five disciplinary charges and cleared the garda of all allegations.
- Other details
- Garda Commissioner Drew Harris suspended the garda for three years, and the garda was reinstated in August 2023 on restricted duties that barred him from dealing with the public.
26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe garda gave an unclaimed bicycle from a garda storeroom to an elderly man during the pandemic. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe garda gave an elderly man an unclaimed bicycle from the station (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe garda did not fill out the appropriate paperwork when giving the bicycle away (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe garda was stationed in the Midlands. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe elderly man's own bicycle had become unusable (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe investigation file was found to not contain any criminal behaviour. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe investigation was conducted by specialist investigators in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationDetectives retrieved the bicycle from the elderly man (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe garda's home was searched in June 2020 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe garda faced five separate disciplinary regulations including discreditable conduct, disobedience, misuse of property and neglect of duty. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe garda faced five disciplinary charges including discreditable conduct, disobedience, misuse of property and neglect of duty (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe case came before a sworn board of inquiry with a lawyer and two senior ranked gardaí presiding. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe tribunal sat for four days and heard evidence. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA four-day hearing was held two weeks before 5 March 2024 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtOn 5 March 2024 the board rejected all five disciplinary charges (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe garda failed to fill out the necessary paperwork for the bicycle transfer. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGarda Commissioner Drew Harris suspended the garda and directed the NBCI to probe the incident. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe missing bicycle was retrieved from the elderly man. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe garda was suspended for three years until August 2023. (thejournal.ie)
- otherWhile back to work, the garda was banned from dealing with the public. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe garda was cleared of all allegations. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe garda was suspended for three years while investigations were ongoing (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe garda was reinstated in August 2023 after the investigation was completed (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherNo criminal case to answer was found (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe garda was confined to restricted duties meaning he could not deal with the public (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe garda is described as a long-serving policeman (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Mar2024Midlands Garda exonerated for giving elderly man an unclaimed bicycle
Reports the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings in which the board rejected all five charges on 5 March 2024; the decision is to be sent to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris for acceptance or rejection.
accused - 5 Mar2024Garda cleared of wrongdoing in giving bicycle to elderly man during pandemic
Reports the outcome of a long-running disciplinary inquiry: the garda was cleared of all five disciplinary regulations by a sworn board of inquiry on 5 March 2024, after a three-year suspension and an NBCI investigation that found no criminal behaviour.
accused, male