Garda promotions based on ‘who you play golf with’

Garda promotions often depend on who you know, who you play golf with or if a family member is senior officer, a TD has alleged.

Independent TD Clare Daly called for the interview process for promotion to sergeants and inspectors currently underway to be stopped until an independent authority was established to oversee the force.

Ms Daly said that in a letter she received from a Garda sergeant, he claimed that the method of promotion through Garda ranks was based on “who you know, (if you) play golf with the super or chief, or have a super or a chief in the family”.

The sergeant said in the letter that “not everybody got promoted this way but a large number did. She quoted from the letter that “I believe this system has led to where we are today. Some fine members have been overlooked year and year and they eventually give up and become disillusioned.”

Ms Daly said she agreed with the sergeant’s call that the interview process to be halted until the independent authority was established.

The Dublin North TD was speaking during a private member's debate introduced by Independent TD Mick Wallace on the Garda Síochána (Amendment No2) Bill to establish a Garda Síochána Independent Board, with monitoring, supervisory and oversight functions over the Garda Síochána.