Courts / Dublin / Report
Disciplinary findings against garda over alleged racist remark are quashed
Summary
In a High Court judicial review, Garda Noel Gibbons successfully had disciplinary findings quashed that had alleged he made a racist remark to a 14‑year‑old teenager detained in June 2017. The internal Garda investigation had found him in breach of discipline and fined him €200, with the Garda Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) set to enforce the decision. Gibbons, who denies ever using racist language, argued the investigation was fundamentally flawed, that he was denied legal representation and the right to cross‑examine witnesses, and that the findings were made without reasons. The court agreed that the findings could be quashed, the fine cancelled, and no further disciplinary action would be taken. The case was resolved with Gsoc updating its records accordingly. The teenager, of eastern Asian descent, was not named due to his age. The incident involved a verbal altercation at a Dublin Garda Station following a public order situation in Temple Bar.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Disciplinary findings against garda over alleged racist remark are quashed. Charges or matters: breach of garda discipline. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2017 Incident
- 2019-10-29 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: breach of garda discipline (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Garda Noel Gibbons, who had strongly denied making a racist remark, had brought High Court proceedings arising out of the finding of an internal Garda investigation that he breached garda discipline and should be fined €200.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- stationed in Pearse Street Garda Station
- Pearse Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Garda Station
- stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station
Topics
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