Independent oversight required for gardaí on prolonged suspensions, says AGSI

AGSI has reiterated its long-standing call for an independent review mechanism for suspensions exceeding 12 months, warning that the current system is failing both members and the organisation.

Urgent independent oversight is needed for gardaí suspended for prolonged periods, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has said.

AGSI has "no confidence" in the current suspension policies within An Garda Síochána, it said ahead of its 48th annual delegate conference which begins in Westport on Monday. Some 165 garda sergeants and inspectors will attend this year’s conference.

The conference will hear that garda members are being left on suspension for extended and undefined periods, with investigations often taking years to conclude.

The conference will also hear how gardaí rely on housing supports to ensure they can live and work in the communities they serve.

AGSI has reiterated its long-standing call for an independent review mechanism for suspensions exceeding 12 months, warning that the current system is failing both members and the organisation.

Last week, the State dropped all charges against three gardaí from the Limerick roads policing division who had been suspended since 2019. Their suspensions followed a garda probe into alleged unlawful interference into potential or pending road traffic prosecutions.

Another five gardaí, including one retired superintendent, two serving sergeants, and two serving gardaí were acquitted of 39 charges of unlawfully interfering in road traffic prosecutions in Limerick in January.

All eight gardaí were prosecuted unsuccessfully in this investigation, and many were suspended from work for years.

Another high-profile case of a lengthy suspension involved a garda detective who was suspended for more than three years for lending an unclaimed bicycle to a man during the pandemic.

“A system that leaves members suspended indefinitely, without clear timelines or independent oversight, is not a system that can command confidence,” said AGSI general secretary Ronan Clogher.

Social media abuse of gardaí 

AGSI has also raised concerns over the growing level of online abuse directed at gardaí, with increasing reports of members being personally targeted.

It said it is now dealing with a significant increase in representation requests linked to social media abuse, and is calling for urgent supports, clearer guidance, and stronger protection measures to be put in place.

In some cases, members’ identities, homes, and families are being exposed online simply for carrying out their duties, AGSI said.

‘No longer functioning’ 

AGSI will also tell delegates that the industrial relations framework within An Garda Síochána is no longer functioning effectively, with long-standing issues remaining unresolved for years.

The association, alongside the Garda Representative Association (GRA), is progressing a joint complaint to European bodies, citing the failure of the State to implement findings of the European Committee of Social Rights dating back to 2013.

The conference will also focus on the challenges facing An Garda Síochána in policing Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency, which is set to begin on July 1.

AGSI has warned that the scale of the event will place unprecedented demands on garda resources.

“Crime will not stop for the EU presidency, and our members are already stretched,” said AGSI president Declan Higgins.

The association is seeking assurances from both Government and garda management that the organisation has the capacity to meet these demands without impacting day-to-day policing.

Housing crisis

AGSI has also highlighted the impact of the housing crisis on its members, particularly those required to relocate for duty.

An increasing number of gardaí are now reliant on Housing Assistance Payments (HAP), which underlines the growing difficulty members face in securing suitable accommodation. AGSI says this is no longer just a housing issue, but a retention issue.

The association is calling on the Government to examine the reintroduction of housing supports, similar to previous garda estate practices, to ensure members can live and work in the communities they serve.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will address delegates on Monday afternoon, while Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly will speak on the second day of the conference.