Garda Tom Flavin case
Deputy O'Donoghue asked why Garda Tom Flavin’s case took seven years and why Garda investigations and reinstatements take so long. The Minister said the prosecution delay was excessive, but not always solely due to Garda investigation, and stressed the need to expedite criminal cases.
Garda Tom Flavin was suspended from An Garda Síochána in 2018. He has been cleared of all 22 charges. It took the legal system seven years for a Garda investigation. He has now been reinstated. He had his sergeant exam done before he was suspended. Seven years were lost to a Garda investigation and others are ongoing. How long does it take for the Garda to investigate itself? We did without eight gardaí in Limerick because it took so long. Can this be sped up? When justice gets it wrong, it should have to reinstate people to their sergeancy and all the other things lost out on in the seven years they were investigated.
Comment on this
Garda Tom Flavin was acquitted of all charges against him. It must have been a significant strain on him and his family. It took seven years, which is far too long for a criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, criminal prosecutions can take a lengthy period of time. It is not always the case the delay is a result of the Garda investigation. It goes to the DPP and through the courts, and processes can be delayed. For any person facing a criminal prosecution, there is an entitlement to ensure that is dealt with without delay. We should try to expedite all criminal prosecutions so they can be dealt with more quickly.