149 gardaí in breach of discipline fined a cumulative €96k in 2025

Gordon Deegan

In 2025, a total of 149 Garda members were found to be in breach of discipline and fined a cumulative €96,727 by their employer.

New figures provided by An Garda Síochána under the Freedom of Information Act show that the highest fine imposed last year on a Garda in 2025 was €9,858.

The €96,727 in fines imposed on 149 Garda members compared to €91,500 imposed on 155 Garda members in 2024.

The FOI response states that the nature of breaches in 2025 include neglect of duty, discreditable conduct, discourtesy and misconduct towards a fellow member.

The FOI response shows that 42 Garda members were suspended last year which is more than double the 18 members suspended in 2024.

The response stated that two members of the force were dismissed in 2024/25 with one dismissed in 2025 and one dismissed in 2024.

Figures separately provided by An Garda Síochána (AGS) show that as of March 1st, there were 98 members suspended and a spokeswoman for AGS said “That is 98 members out of 14,529 Garda members, or <0.7%”.

The reasons for suspension showed that 16 were suspended for alleged sexual assault/sexual misconduct; 17 for alleged driving under the influence of an intoxicant, 10 for alleged domestic violence/coercive control; nine for alleged assault/assault causing harm; eight for corruption/criminal association, 11 for alleged theft/forgery/dishonesty and two for alleged Fixed Charge Penalty (NCN) notice interference.

Commenting on the upsurge in the numbers of gardaí suspended last, General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), Ronan Slevin said today: “We would be deeply concerned regarding the rise in suspensions last year and we have continually raised these matters with garda management.

He said: “While there is an acknowledgement that suspensions are necessary in some isolated instances, there have been cases of 'suspend first, ask questions later' with suspension being used as a ‘go-to’ disciplinary tool.

“Even though many members have then been totally exonerated and returned to duty, we are told of the feeling of isolation and stigmatisation of members regardless of any guilt or innocence while lengthy suspensions have been imposed.

"Recent cases in Limerick and the Midlands have shown the damage and injustice of these lengthy suspensions in members’ health and wellbeing, not to mention the reputational damage caused.

“We at the GRA have called for a full independent inquiry into the Limerick suspensions and a full review of the current suspension and appeals process.

“An independent review process is now a must in any new policy. Without this our members won’t have any faith in any new policy. This will be raised once again with the Minister and Commissioner at our upcoming Annual Delegate Conference in two weeks time.”

Asked to comment on Mr Slevin’s comments, a spokeswoman for AGS said that “An Garda Síochána does not comment on third-party remarks”.

However, the spokeswoman pointed out that “the vast majority of gardaí act in a highly professional and ethical manner”.

“However, there are times, when in order to maintain public trust, it is necessary to suspend gardaí subject to disciplinary investigations.

“The starting point for any suspension is an allegation or detection of alleged criminal conduct or alleged misconduct against a member of An Garda Síochána.

"Suspension is a devolved function to Assistant Commissioner, Governance and Accountability.”