Garda detective back at work despite failing roadside breathalyser

Gardaí suspect the officer crashed his unmarked squad car on the M3 in 2021 because he was intoxicated.

The specialist detective was in possession of his official firearm when gardaí attended the scene of the incident northbound between Dunshaughlin and Navan approaching Junction 7.

When a junior member of the force who attended the crash established that the driver was a detective with one of the country’s armed units, they summoned a more senior garda to deal with the incident.

A sergeant arrived at the scene and the detective garda was instructed to blow into a roadside alcohol breath test.

He failed this test and was arrested and taken to Navan garda station on suspicion of drink-driving. Once a person is arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated they must provide another sample within three hours of the driving offence.

In the case of the detective garda, this did not happen within the necessary timeframe.

His actions brought the force into disrepute. There is no tolerance or defence of this member’s conduct

When investigating gardaí consulted the DPP, it was decided that the roadside breathalyser alone would not be admissible in court so the garda was not charged. Two sources say this was “a genuine case of the time elapsing” and no favouritism was shown to the detective, who was not known to investigating gardaí.

An internal investigation was launched immediately after the officer’s arrest, which has recently concluded.

The officer was found to be guilty of a number of disciplinary breaches, including that he was apparently intoxicated while driving an unmarked garda car, which he crashed, and that he was also carrying his official-issued garda firearm at the time. It is understood he received a fine.

The Sunday World understands that senior garda management appealed his disciplinary sanctions, seeking tougher penalties against the officer.

“It was referred back to the appeal board by senior garda management, looking for a higher penalty against him essentially. There was never a recommendation for his dismissal. He did receive a fine,” explained a source.

It is also understood that garda management were very displeased by the detective’s conduct and that he escaped a conviction for drink-driving, which could have meant losing his job.

“His actions brought the force into disrepute. There is no tolerance or defence of this member’s conduct,” according to a source.

“Unfortunately, there are a lot of technicalities involved in securing a successful intoxicated driving charge and conviction and many people escape conviction on the basis of a technicality.”

It is understood that the officer has recently returned to work as the disciplinary proceedings against him are now complete. He is confined to desk duties at present.

Garda Headquarters was contacted for comment.