A member of the Garda Dogs Unit who is suing for damages for alleged hearing problems because of the dogs' "constant barking", told the High Court yesterday he sought legal advice after a Garda surgeon found significant damage to both his ears and he feared he might be removed from his position as a dog handler.
Garda Thomas Donnelly (55) is taking the action against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General who deny claims of negligence and breach of contract.
Garda Donnelly has told the court he worked day and night shifts with the dogs and was also obliged to kennel them at home and exercise them a number of times each day.
He joined the Garda in 1974 and the dog handling unit in 1979.
Yesterday, Alexander Blaney, a consultant ear, nose and throat expert, gave evidence of examining Garda Donnelly in March 2002 who told him he had never used guns or weapons but that the dogs barked excessively and he felt their barking had a "cutting edge".
His examination showed a marked high frequency inner ear deafness indicative of a noise injury, Mr Blaney said.
Mr Blaney added it was very difficult to be precise as the garda was 50 years of age when he examined him and he felt that given the quantity of hearing loss present there probably was an age factor. The hearing continues.