Garda faces accusation of selling uniforms

A garda is facing criminal charges over allegations that he stole up to 50 garda uniforms in recent years and sold them to a film or theatre company.

The garda, in his mid-40s and based in Dublin's Pearse Street Garda Station, is alleged to have taken items from his colleagues' uniforms piece by piece and sold them to an agent who was supplying them to a theatre or television production company.

News of the unusual case only reached gardaí after the former partner of the garda involved made a formal complaint after the couple broke up. The garda was arrested on Monday and taken for questioning to Kilmainham Garda station.

He was held for most of the day before being released without charge.

A file on the matter has now been sent to the DPP, who will decide if a case should be taken.

The garda has been suspended pending the outcome of the case. However, it is understood that he has been absent from work on sick leave for several months.

It is understood that the items included all garments and accessories that make up Garda uniforms. The garda is alleged to have taken them from his colleagues over a number of years. Most of the items have been retrieved in recent days.

All members of the Garda are given spare uniform items, including shirts, trousers and jackets every year.

If the items go missing during the year for any reason they are generally replaced immediately and without inquiry so that work commitments do not suffer.

Because of this it is believed the garda under investigation could have gradually stolen his colleagues uniforms without them noticing or without arousing the suspicion of senior officers.

The theft and supply of Garda uniforms is regarded as a serious matter within the force. Uniforms could greatly aid a criminal or subversive gang in impersonating a garda in the commission of crimes.

A Garda spokeswoman last night said there was no evidence to suggest that the uniforms allegedly stolen in the current case had been used in this manner.