Garda cleared of any 'wrongdoing' after giving elderly man unclaimed bicycle

A garda who gave an elderly man an unclaimed bicycle from the station he was working in has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Investigations have concluded and the unnamed garda, who is based in the Midlands, has been cleared by specialist investigators in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The garda was suspended for three years by the Garda Commissioner while investigations were ongoing. The investigation was sparked because the garda in question had not filled out the appropriate paperwork once giving the unclaimed bicycle away. 

It is understood that the garda, who is now cleared of any wrongdoing, is a long-serving policeman. 

The incident in question came about when the garda in question gave an elderly man an unclaimed bicycle that had been in the garda station for some time after his own became unusable.

Detectives subsequently retrieved the bicycle from the elderly man and searched the garda's home in June 2020.

The garda was reinstated in August 2023 after the investigation was completed, and was found to have no criminal case to answer.

However, disciplinary proceedings followed and he was confined to "restricted duties", which meant he could not deal with the public.

The garda faced five disciplinary charges including discreditable conduct, disobedience, misuse of property and neglect of duty.

A four-day hearing was held two weeks ago and this Tuesday, March 5, saw the board rejected all five disciplinary charges he had faced. The board’s decision will be sent to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, who can decide to accept or reject it.

When contacted about the case, An Garda Síochána's response was: An Garda Síochána does not comment on individual discipline processes including the outcome of individual Boards of Inquiry.