Harris defends congratulations letter given to a suspended garda
GARDA Commissioner Drew Harris has defended giving an award to a suspended garda who has been removed from duty for over three years.
Garda Paul Baynham was presented with a letter of congratulations on Monday from the Commissioner for completing a course in policing and human rights.
Garda Baynham has been accused of squaring fixed penalty notices and was suspended from the Limerick district in November 2020.
His case is ongoing and the DPP is yet to decide if criminal charges will be brought against him.
Speaking at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors annual delegate conference in Westport, Co. Mayo, yesterday, Commissioner Drew Harris said the officer deserved the commendation
Members upset at ‘hypocrisy’
as he had completed the course.
He told reporters: ‘Well, if they’ve undertaken a certificate, that is the recognition that is due to them. They’ve undertaken a certificate in study around policing and human rights, then they should be congratulated for finishing the course.’
Asked if they should be commended when suspended, Mr Harris added: ‘Yes, in this case as suspended.’
Last year, the High Court ruled Garda Baynham has not been unlawfully or unfairly suspended for three years. The garda, who was attached to the Roads Policing Unit in Limerick, had challenged that suspension, in a case being followed by three gardaí in a similar position.
Many members of the AGSI were upset at what they described as ‘hypocrisy’ within the force at giving an award to a member while potential criminal prosecution hangs in the balance. ‘The whole situation is just bonkers, really,’ one source told the Irish Daily Mail.
‘On one hand you have a fella out for years over something many feel should be dismissed, and then you have the Commissioner’s name on a letter telling him he’s a great lad. The system needs a complete change.’
The same source pointed out the difference between the Commissioner signing a commendation to a suspended officer, and the top garda’s comments following the news a member had been suspended for three years for loaning a bicycle to an elderly man during Covid.
Speaking about that suspension this month, Mr Harris said: ‘There is only partial information that has been put into the public domain.’ This drew criticism for the apparent suggestion there was something blameworthy not in the public arena.
Mr Harris has since clarified that remark.
Meanwhile, Mr Harris was also asked about other issues of contention within the AGSI during the conference.
Regarding attempts to extradite members of the Kinahan gang from Dubai, Mr Harris said constant communication with the UAE is being maintained.