A Garda superintendent appointed two weeks ago to take charge of traffic management and road safety in the Garda's western region has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. Conor Lally, Crime Correspondent, reports.
The alleged drink-driving incident took place just after 8.15pm on Thursday near Loughrea, Co Galway.
Supt Jim Fitzgerald pulled in to a petrol station just outside the town. About the same time a member of the public who witnessed his driving became concerned and called gardaí.
A Garda patrol car based at Loughrea Garda station located Supt Fitzgerald and his unmarked Garda car.
He was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, and taken to Loughrea station to be processed.
He was released some time later, and a file on the matter is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Garda Press Office confirmed a senior officer had been arrested.
It does not name those arrested for any offence.
In a two-line statement issued yesterday morning, it announced: "An Garda Síochána can confirm that a member of An Garda Síochána was arrested last night, March 29th, in the Galway area on suspicion of drink-driving. The case is being processed and a file is being prepared for the DPP."
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell also refused to make any comment that might identify an arrested person.
The Irish Timesattempted to contact Supt Fitzgerald, but he did not return the calls.
He is one of five superintendents to have been appointed as dedicated traffic and road safety officers in the past fortnight.
The five posts were created in an effort to develop better management of road safety and traffic matters in the regions.
The arrest comes at a time when the Garda Síochána is making efforts to increase road safety awareness around the country to reduce road deaths.
One of the main elements of the programme has been the operation of regular random breath testing patrols since their introduction last year.