Civil service staff were drafted in to work in shop at Garda college

IN A report prepared by Garda HR director John Barrett to express his main areas of concern over operations at Templemore, he highlights ‘deployment of civil service staff and other resources to support an independent private enterprise’.

Mr Barrett writes: ‘In the reports and enquiries made to date, there is reference to two separate occasions where college staff were deployed to support the independent service provision arrangements.’

‘1) Deployment of a civil servant to work in the college shop, and 2) deployment of a grounds man to support the maintenance of the sports fields.’

He added that the buildings and facilities all appear to be ‘fully fitted and provided by the OPW’ [Office of Public Works].

He also pointed out decision making for the ‘restaurant, shop, laundry, bar and consequential investments’ rested ultimately in the hands of members of Garda management whose role and function was a college-based assignment at senior rank.