Tipperary TD Alan Kelly is calling for a review of the operation of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission after it emerged a Garda is to face prosecution following an incident on the N7 in July 2021. The Garda was involved in chasing what turned out to be members of a well-known criminal gang, with more than 200 convictions. The Dáil heard that the men drove down the M7 Motorway the wrong way and were involved in a collision with a lorry and died.
Deputy Kelly says it is “outrageous” that the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) decided to bring charges against the Garda for his behaviour during the incident. The Nenagh based TD noted that a GoFundMe page has already raised €32,000 for the Garda. Deputy Kelly also noted that the Garda Training College is in Tipperary and questioned how the decision of the DPP would impact on Garda recruitment.
In relation to “decision to prosecute or not”, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphries says the specific decision cannot be discussed in the Dáil but added that legislation relating to An Garda Siochana currently going through the House might offer an opportunity for Deputy Kelly’s concerns to be discussed.
