Some officers were absent for over 24 hours to have a uniform fitting

AN INTERNAL Garda audit report showed how resources could be used ‘more prudently’.

For example, it detailed how members were absent for up to, and over, 24 hours for the purpose of uniform fittings.

In one case, a garda was absent from 5pm on July 10, 2008, to 7pm the following evening. In another case, a member was absent from 9pm on September 29, 2008, to 8pm the following night. The report said this would not appear to be an effective use of a member’s time. ‘GIAS [Garda Internal Audit Section] considers that other options should be explored, for example, engaging local tailors or, when there are a number of people requiring uniforms, having a tailor travelling from Santry to the college.’