Watchdog to discipline pepper spray case gardaí

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has served disciplinary papers on one of the gardaí who were cleared in court of wrongdoing after they used pepper spray to subdue a violent youth.

The Garda Representative Association said the papers had been served on Garda Fiona Sheehan under Section 95 of Garda Síochána Act yesterday and were likely also likely to be served on Garda Brendan Dowling.

It said this was “double jeopardy” as the two had already been acquitted in court and a spokesman said it did not know the purpose of the service. Meanwhile, a retired judge has said that the State should pay the €14,000 legal bill for the two gardaí.