2 gardaí face probe in pepper spray case

The Garda Representative Association has hired a well-known solicitor to represent two gardaí who face internal disciplinary proceedings by the force’s watchdog, even though they were cleared of any wrongdoing when they used pepper spray to subdue a violent teenager.

The Irish Examiner has also learnt that a number of frontline members of the force would hand back their pepper spray if the two Cork-based gardaí are disciplined in any way as a result of the action being taken by the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission.

The commission made the move after a court dismissed a case against Gardaí Fiona Sheehan and Brendan Dowling for using pepper spray against the 16-year-old ringleader of “a violent and sustained attack” by a gang of youths on Paul St Shopping Centre in Cork City on May 12, 2012.