FG condemns failure to transfer Donegal gardai

Fine Gael last night described as "a farce" the fact that none of the five gardaí transferred from Donegal to Dublin in the wake of the second interim report of the Morris tribunal had taken up their new postings in the capital almost three months after their transfers became effective.

Fine Gael MEP Senator Jim Higgins has called on the Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy, and the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, to explain why the five members have still not been transferred despite having been criticised in the "sensational" Morris tribunal report.

"Ten days after the publication of the damning Morris report the Garda Commissioner announced that five gardaí. . . were to be transferred to posts in Dublin. The transfers were to be effective from June 24th. In spite of the commissioner's instructions, none of these five gardaí is currently on duty in Dublin.

"I am now calling on Justice Minister Michael McDowell and Commissioner Conroy to explain to the public why the transfers have not taken place and why, despite the commissioner's instructions, these gardaí remain on active service in Donegal."

The members in question are Gardaí Martin Anderson, Letterkenny Garda station; Thomas Rattigan, Buncrana; James McDwyer, Ballybofey; Martin Leonard, Letterkenny, and Patrick McDermott, Lifford.

Gardaí McDwyer and McDermott were to be transferred to Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park. Garda Anderson was to be posted to the Special Detective Unit while Garda Rattigan was to be posted to Cabra and Garda Leonard to Harcourt Terrace.

At the time the men's transfers were announced, Mr McDowell said the men would not be dealing with the public in their new roles. Yesterday he said the current status of the men's transfers was a matter for Mr Conroy.

A spokeswoman for An Garda Síochána last night said the force could "account for" all five members. She said one had retired. Another had launched a challenge to his transfer and as a result was still working in Donegal. The other three members were currently on sick leave.