Garda fraud bureau loses top investigators

Two of the top three positions in the Garda’s specialist agency combating fraud are now vacant.

The early retirement of Det Supt Colm Featherstone follows the early retirement of Det Supt Pat Collins last January. That leaves both superintendent positions in the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation vacant and Chief Supt Dave Dowling in sole charge.

In a further blow, the bureau is also losing its most experienced detective as Det Insp Denis Heneghan retires. Both will leave next Friday. Det Insp Heneghan will leave the agency with four inspectors. The retirements will be a huge blow to the unit, given the loss of experience.