Corruption in the senior ranks (Sheahan) covered up by the justice department?

Politically connected Garda A/C David Sheahan, the truth exposed

https://gardadavidsheehan.blogspot.com/2023/10/garda-david-sheehan-should-be-jailed.html

Senior garda interviewed as part of Limerick anti-corruption probe (David Sheahan)

It is understood that the garda, who was interviewed in recent weeks

https://www.thejournal.ie/garda-high-profile-senior-officer-interviewed-limerick-anti-corruption-probe-5515656-Aug2021/

A SENIOR GARDA has been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in Limerick.

Multiple sources have told The Journal that the garda involved met with investigators from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) at the office of their solicitor in the last two weeks. It is understood that the garda has denied any wrongdoing. 

The NBCI are currently investigating alleged incidences of gardaí cancelling, or “squaring” of road traffic tickets and summonses in Limerick which began in 2019.

It is understood that the NBCI are now interviewing upwards of 200 people, both gardaí and members of the public, in regard to their investigation.

Sources have said these interviews are focused not alone on individual gardaí but also on members of the public who may have had tickets cancelled or cases struck out in court.

They have also seized phones which will be examined to determine if texts and calls were exchanged between the public and gardaí.

Three gardaí and a retired Superintendent have been charged in connection with the alleged ticket cancelling probe.  

An Garda Síochána said in a statement: “An Garda Síochána does not comment on the specifics of ongoing investigations”.

Garda who left squad car at airport before flying off on holiday has house raided by officers in corruption probe

(AC David Sheahan's brother also being investigated for corruption) 

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-who-left-squad-car-at-airport-before-flying-off-on-holiday-has-house-raided-by-officers-in-corruption-probe/41997511.html?

A garda who abandoned an unmarked squad car at Dublin Airport while he went on holidays with colleagues has had his home searched in a dawn raid as part of a corruption probe.

The mid-ranking officer had his home raided by officers attached to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) at 6.30am on Friday morning.

Acting on a search warrant, specialist officers arrived at his home and searched it. It is understood that the garda’s mobile phone was seized.

An internal disciplinary investigation into the matter was completed several months ago — and the officer at the centre of the controversy was given a “slap on the wrist” by his superiors in Waterford.

However, following a series of revelations about the incident in this newspaper in July, it is understood that the Anti-Corruption Unit decided to launch its own investigation into the matter. This culminated in the dawn raid and search of the garda’s house on Friday morning.

The Sunday Independent previously revealed that a group of gardaí based in Waterford travelled to Dublin Airport in the vehicle while they flew out for a non-work trip.

When contacted this weekend, Garda Headquarters declined to comment on the matter, saying it does not comment on an internal disciplinary investigations.

The bizarre incident left airport police “scratching their heads” and sparked two separate investigations in its immediate aftermath.

The unmarked car, which is attached to a specialist unit in the Waterford garda division, was driven by the officer in the company of other members to Dublin Airport.

It was then left in the vicinity of the airport while the gardaí flew out on holiday.

The garda who drove the squad car was put back on uniform duties following an internal probe.

BROTHERS IN ARMS (In crime)

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/brothers-in-arms/27732287.html

How the media glorify gardai involved in crimes

WHILE IT'S NOT unusual for sons to follow in their fathers' footsteps, what is unusual for my mother's family in Rathnure is for four brothers following in each others' footsteps into na Gardaí Síochána.

Back in the 1960s, families were much larger than today. In my family, my grandmother had a family of seven children which consisted of three girls and four boys. Out of these seven children, all of the four boys went on to grow up and become law enforcers.

The oldest of the Sheahan brothers, David, born in 1962 holds the title of chief superintendent stationed in Limerick; Laurence who was born in 1968 is a sergeant in Waterford; Ciarán, born in 1971, holds the position as a sergeant and the youngest of my uncles, Gavin, born in 1981, is a garda in Kilkenny.

A garda was born in my family in each decade between the 1960s and 1980s. My uncles are also starting to influence my family, as my brother aged 14 now would also like a profession as a garda when he leaves school.

People are very interested in the story of my uncles and often ask many questions such as why they all chose the same job? And what influenced this choice?

As I was growing up, I saw my uncles as just normal uncles, but now that I am older and understand their job, I wanted to find out more. I sat down and interviewed each of them to find out why they decided to become gardaí and to learn about their roles.

Each of them has similar reasons. David was working in the Wexford Corporation as a clerical officer part-time but when he asked the supervisor about a full-time job, there was no job available, and was advised to join the Gardaí. A position in the Gardaí then came up.

Ciarán was studying architecture in Bolton Street in Dublin when he saw the life David was having as a garda, and the enjoyment of his job. He then took up a position in the Gardaí also.

Gavin was working for the revenue commissioners when he was also influenced by David's career, and he also then joined the Gardaí. Laurence saw his brothers enjoying the benefits of being gardaí and joined up at the age of 26, which was considered late to join. Each of the brothers was influenced into the job by each other's enjoyment of the role.

A job as a garda has much training and procedures involved. David, my uncle, trained for six months at Garda College Templemore. He then went on to study law and had to go through and learn many garda procedures, drills and marching. He was fully qualified after six months and had to sit a number of exams. The training involved today is different which Ciarán, Laurence and Gavin took part in to qualify as Gardaí.

The basic training is divided into five phases and lasts two years. Initially, students spend 22 weeks at the Garda College in Templemore followed by a period of 24 weeks spent at selected stations under the direct supervision of tutorial staff. After further training at the college, students become members of the service and are attached to stations. While they are now empowered to enforce legislation, they remain under probation for a further two-year period.

To advance in the career you must also sit a number of exams to advance to a higher rank. Each trainee begins as a garda.

David has moved from garda to sergeant, from sergeant to inspector, from inspector to superintendent and finally from superintendent to chief superintendent, where he is stationed in Limerick today. Gavin is a garda stationed in Kilkenny. Ciarán and Laurence are both sergeants stationed in Kilkenny and Waterford respectively. Each title has different roles. The main role of a garda is to work with the community and keep people safe by enforcing law. David has a more strategic role by making the plans for the Gardaí for throughout the year, and following up these plans as well as the responsibility for the five districts of Limerick.

Gavin has to put these plans into action as a garda with the role to protect and serve. Ciarán is a supervisor who makes sure the garda's job is done accurately. Ciarán has to oversee that Gavin's working to his full potential. Laurence who is also a sergeant acts as a supervisor, observing the jobs take place in the correct form and manner.

The profession as a garda has changed significantly throughout the years. This big change has created much more pressure in the words of the Sheahan brothers. There is a lot more work involved with less people. David has the pressure of keeping a lid on the serious crime in Limerick. Laurence is of the opinion that the type of crime has changed and that the crimes are becoming more difficult to prove. This must put an increasingly amount of strain on the workforce. Laws are changing also as well as new laws being introduced such as the gangland legislation introduced by the government which can be difficult to implement. There is a variance between the roles in rural areas and city areas. The rural end would deal with less crime and would work closer with the community.

In the cities serious crimes such as theft and murder are more prevalent. If you have a career in the Gardaí you are expected to respond 24/7 and must always have your eye on the ball. It is very hard to leave the job at the office when you return home, as I have witnessed myself as a family member. If I am ever at a get-together there will always be a phone constantly ringing, and my uncles never seem to get a break. I can see first-hand how hard they work. The job is very hard with many difficulties and burdens. Each of my uncles agreed that the most difficult part of their profession is informing a family member of a death. This is very tough.

As a teenage niece of four Gardaí it is clear to say I don't get away with much trouble, but I don't think anyone will be picking a fight with me any time soon.