A CHIEF superintendent said to be biased against a detective sergeant in relation to the handling of the detective's application for higher rank, had previously recommended him for promotion but later made a less favourable assessments of him after both men fell out, the High Court heard yesterday.
Det Sgt Fergus Treanor, who is stationed in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, has brought a High Court challenge claiming bias over how his application for promotion to Garda inspector was dealt with.
He is seeking a High Court order quashing a promotional assessment form on him because, he claims, the assessment process had been improperly conducted and was heavily tainted with bias.
The action is against the Garda Commissioner.
The parties involved in the case, being heard by Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill, spent some time in discussions outside the courtroom yesterday. The case resumed in the afternoon.
Det Sgt Treanor claims Chief Supt Colm Rooney, who is in charge of the Cavan-Monaghan division, was responsible for having "highly disparaging comments" put on his assessment file which were "untrue and highly damaging".
Eoin McGonigal SC, for Sgt Treanor, said his client did not belief he had an automatic entitlement to be promoted to inspector and merely wanted to compete for the the post "on a fair and equitable basis". However he was unable to do so because of Chief Supt Rooney's assessment of his ability.
The case continues.