A Westmeath garda was suspended for three years and his home was raided.
Garda chiefs are being blasted for 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut' over the suspension of a Midlands Garda who gave a pensioner a bicycle during Covid.
The Westmeath Garda was suspended for three years, after his home was raided as part of an investigation by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
It's understood the problem arose in 2020, because the Garda failed to fill out a form after taking the bike from a Garda storeroom.
A disciplinary panel's recommended the highly respected midlands' Garda should be completely cleared.
The decision's been welcomed by the Garda Representative Association - but they say 'good, decent community policing was blown apart by the case'.
The Garda was suspended as part of an investigation which saw his home raided, and the bike taken back from the pensioner.
He was finally re-instated last August but still faced a disciplinary hearing when he returned to work.
The GRA's raised the case with the Justice Minister overnight, saying the 'suspend first - ask questions later' approach, highlights a serious disconnect between management and the frontline.
NASA Artemis II Mission Begins Journey Back To Earth
Westmeath Boy To Be Laid To Rest After Devastating Road Accident
Laois Man To Hold Charity Raffle And Open Day This Weekend
Westmeath Cycleway Bridge To Be Named After Late Mary O'Rourke
Former Oireachtas PAC Chair Urges Direct Answers From State Bodies
Westmeath Family Appear In Court Over Violent Row
Revenue Seize Contraband Worth Over €352K
Farmers Vow To Continue Fuel Protest
Three Midlands Garda Stations Left Without Dedicated Officers
Midlands Fire Stations To Benefit From Fire Services Capital Programme
Midlands Motorists Clocked Speeding Over Bank Holiday Weekend
Gardaí Seek Witnesses Following Westmeath Burglary
Teacher Pay, AI And Staffing Crisis To Dominate Union Conferences
Electric Picnic Organiser Sees UK Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Booking
Missing Offaly Man Found Safe And Well
Man Dies Following Midlands Crash
Storm Dave Leaves Hundreds Of Midlands Homes Without Power
Laois Dairy Farm Submits Planning Application To Retain Onside Accommodation
Westmeath’s Musical Link To Sinead O’Connor Highlighted By Wax Museum Update
Moneygall To Feature On New US Presidents Trail Celebrating Irish Roots