SLIGO GARDA AT CENTRE OF SUSPENSION OF TOP OFFICER
A Sligo Garda is at the centre of a row that has seen an Assistant Garda Commissioner suspended from duty.
Assistant Commissioner Fintan Fanning who has been suspended from duty pending the outcome of an investigation by (GSOC) is said to be planning a High Court action challenging the decision. Assistant Commissioner Fanning was suspended on the orders of the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Thursday.
It is understood he will argue that his suspension was unnecessary as he had provided the commissioner with full and detailed answers to allegations of misconduct which were made against him by the Sligo garda last November. It is understood the garda who is from Sligo, but never stationed here and whose complaints are being investigated by GSOC has made two allegations against Mr Fanning.
The first concerns an alleged incident where the garda was temporarily suspended from duty pending an investigation of an alleged assault two years ago. Following a full investigation, the DPP decided the garda had no case to answer and he was re-instated. The second allegation is understood to centre on an the officer’s unsuccessful bid to be selected on a specialist firearms course. Mr Fanning submitted a number of full and detailed responses to the allegations which were sent to the Commissioner’s office in December.It is believed Mr Fanning has claimed he was following established procedures in relation to the complainant’s original suspension from duty.