FF councillor made ‘no contact’ with Garda after road incident

A Limerick Fianna Fáil councillor at the centre of a controversy over the absence of a prosecution in a road traffic accident has said he made "no contact" with An Garda Síochána after the initial investigation.

Cllr Jerry O'Dea, the Metropolitan Mayor of Limerick, has confirmed in a statement he was involved in a traffic incident in December 2014.

In the statement, emailed to The Irish Times, Mr O'Dea stated he was involved in a single-vehicle road traffic accident and was the sole occupant of the car: "Following the accident I co-operated fully with An Garda Síochána and subsequently made no further contact with An Garda Síochána about the issue.

“In early May 2015 I was informed there would be no action against me. I consider the matter closed.”

Internal inquiry

The gardaí in Limerick have commenced an internal inquiry into the matter. The incident occurred when a BMW car overturned on the outskirts of Limerick city on December 11th, 2014. The driver had to be helped from the vehicle by gardaí and the Fire Brigade.

The driver claimed he had swerved to avoid another vehicle that fled the scene.

Mr O’Dea was taken to University Hospital Limerick where tests were carried out.

The handling of the Garda investigation has subsequently become the matter of an internal inquiry by An Garda Síochána.

Mr O’Dea said in the statement there was no contact between him and An Garda Síochána subsequent to the initial investigation in which he said he co-operated fully.

Mr O’Dea faced no further action, and there is no record of a summons being issued.

Handling of case

Focus may now turn to the manner in which the matter was handled locally by An Garda Síochána. Once a Garda internal inquiry has been completed, the matter may result in a disciplinary hearing, after which sanctions are available.

Disciplinary inquiries can result in suspension, monetary penalties or, in extreme cases, dismissal from the force.

The Irish Times understands the Garda member who was dealing with the case continues to work in Limerick.

In a statement from its national headquarters, Fianna Fáil said it was “an operational issue for An Garda Síochána, which has launched an investigation into the matter. All individuals concerned should fully co-operate with the inquiry.”

Fianna Fáil councillors in Limerick were expected to hold a meeting yesterday evening. Dáil Deputy Willie O'Dea (no relation) said a clarifying statement would be helpful.