There has been “serious Garda malpractice’’ in the Athlone area, claims Independent TD Mick Wallace.
He told the Dáil, at Opposition leaders’ questions on Tuesday, that in 2012 a garda had gone to see Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Castlebar and told him about malpractice “in relation to a certain superintendent’’ .
He told Mr Kenny, "that if you don't do something about him, you will be reading about him in the papers'', said Mr Wallace.
“Later that same year you gave approval to the promotion of this superintendent to chief superintendent,’’ Mr Wallace said.
He added the chief superintendent was now the subject of three different investigations, adding he had since been moved to Garda headquarters in Phoenix Park.
“What hope is there for reform as long as the old hierarchy remains in place?’’ Mr Wallace said. “Surely, Taoiseach, you must realise this is a part of the problem and not the solution.’’
Mr Kenny said he had sent Mr Wallace a note when he previously raised the issue in the Dáil seeking details. “You did not respond to that note, Deputy Wallace,’’ he said.
Mr Kenny said the Government was introducing the most radical changes to policing in the country since the State’s foundation.
