Garda seal of approval for Love/Hate

Acting police chief Noirín O’Sullivan yesterday gave RTÉ crime drama Love/Hate an official seal of approval, saying she was a fan.

But she declined to say whether or not Detective Garda Kieran, formerly of the Garda National Drugs Unit, will be allowed to take part in a final series.

Martin Callinan, the former commissioner, ordered a disciplinary inquiry into the detective’s involvement in the series over concerns raised regarding the activities of his character, detective Ciaran Madden.

He was subsequently transferred from the drugs unit but took part in the filming of the fifth series. The final series is due to be shot.

Ms O’Sullivan indicated she wasn’t aware he would be part of the final series and said it would not be fair to comment on an individual.

She said there were comprehensive policies on the area and that members cannot engage in spare time activities “if there is a potential conflict of interest” in what they are doing.

But she said: “I think it’s a very, very good show... I think it’s very positive in terms of Irish television production.”