Garda who won action preventing her dismissal brings fresh case

A Dublin-based garda who last year won a legal action preventing her dismissal over failing to pass a fitness test has not been reinstated to duty, the High Court has heard.

Garda Orlaith Fahy succeeded in quashing the Garda Commissioner's decision to dismiss her after Mr Justice Max Barrett in the High Court ruled that the decision to dismiss her as a probationary Garda was unlawful.

Garda Fahy, who was stationed at Finglas and Blanchardstown, graduated and commenced her career as a trainee Garda in 2016.

Her period of probation was extended to allow her to pass a specific fitness test, which she had failed on several occasions, after she sustained an injury.

Arising out of the failures, the Garda Commissioner decided in February 2020 to dispense with her services.

In his ruling, Mr Justice Barrett held that the commissioner did not act lawfully and had effectively dismissed her as a probationary garda when she was no longer a probationer.

On Monday at the High Court, Mr Justice Charles Meenan was told by Garda Fahy's counsel Mark Harty SC that despite Mr Justice Barrett's decision last July his client has not been reinstated to duty.

Counsel said Garda Fahy’s solicitors have written to the commissioner about the matter. The only response they have received are holding letters informing her that the matter is “with the legal department”.

Counsel said his client has been out of work for the last two years and that the commissioner’s response is untenable and extreme in character.

Given the period of time that has elapsed it is the applicant’s case that Mr Justice Barrett’s decision is being undermined and ignored by the commissioner, said Mr Harty.

Arising out of the failure to reinstate her, counsel said his client fresh judicial review proceedings seeking an order directing the Commissioner to immediately reinstate her to duty as a member of An Garda Síochána have had to be taken.

In her action Garda Fahy also seeks an order that her salary, allowances, pension contributions, arrears and other benefits be immediately reinstated.

She further seeks declarations including that the commissioner has unlawfully and wrongfully interfered with her career and has breached her employment and constitutional rights.

Counsel agreed with Mr Justice Meenan’s description of Garda Fahy’s situation as being “left in limbo.”

He was satisfied, on an ex-parte basis, to grant Garda Fahy permission to being fresh proceedings against the Commissioner.

Noting the responses received by the applicant’s solicitor, the judge said that the situation from Garda Fahy’s perspective was “not a satisfactory position to find herself in.”

The judge made the matter returnable to a date later this month.