An Garda Síochána receives over 100 complaints of harassment by members in five years

Ken Foxe

An Garda Síochána has received more than 100 complaints of harassment, bullying, or sexual harassment over the past five years from members.

More than 60 percent of the allegations were made by female officers, according to figures released under FOI.

The data also showed there has been a significant rise in the number of reports being made over the past two years.

In 2021 and 2022, there were 14 and 15 alleged cases of harassment, bullying, or sexual harassment logged, respectively.

That rose to 20 in 2023 before jumping to 27 in 2024.

Already in the first nine months of this year, a further 27 cases have been recorded by An Garda Siochána.

The overwhelming majority of allegations relate to bullying, with 92 of the 103 total reports in that category.

There were also two allegations of harassment, both made by female members.

A further nine claims of sexual harassment were reported, again, all of them by women officers, the figures showed.

From the 103 reports made, 91 of them were sent forward for investigation, An Garda Siochána said, without providing details of what happened with the other 12 cases.

26 cases remain under investigation, while 11 complaints were upheld.

There were 39 cases that were not upheld and 7 cases where mediation was used to resolve the issue.

A total of 14 cases were withdrawn before an investigation was concluded while 6 were not deemed harassment, bullying, or sexual harassment under Garda policies.

Asked about the records, a spokesman said An Garda Síochána does not comment on internal disciplinary matters, but that every complaint of bullying and harassment is taken seriously.

He said: “The overall figures should be seen in the context of an organisation of over 14,000 gardaí. The Garda Commissioner has repeatedly stated on the public record that the vast majority of gardaí act in a highly disciplined and ethical manner.

“However, there are times, when in order to maintain public trust, it is necessary to suspend gardaí subject to disciplinary investigations.”

The spokesman added that there was an anti-bullying policy in place and that all garda personnel were encouraged to report concerning behaviour so it could be investigated and dealt with.