Gardaí face fines or demotion over Agsi conference walkout

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) has insisted that four of its members who walked out on speeches by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan at its annual conference this week should not be disciplined.

The association has made its comments after it emerged the men now face being fined or demoted back to being rank and filed gardai.

It is possible they could be dismissed from the force for indiscipline, though sources believed the matter would most likely not go that far. The men are due in coming days to appear in relation to the matter before Assistant Commissioner Fintan Fanning. who is in charge of Garda human resources.

Agsi general secretary John Redmond said while Agsi did not support the walk out, the association believed it was not a disciplinary matter.

"The Carlow/Kilkenny Branch were mandated by their members and they executed their right to protest by withdrawing from conference.

"We do understand their protest against Minister Shatter who has treated our members with great disdain and disrespect. Members were left reeling after his address to us on Monday evening.

"In relation to the walkout by the Carlow/Kilkenny Branch members before the Commissioner's address - it is not AGSI's policy to support a motion of no confidence in the Garda Commissioner. However, we respect their right to protest.

"Last night the Commissioner was warmly received by delegates and they appreciated the fact that he addressed our concerns directly with us. It is not the view of this Association that we don't have confidence in the Commissioner

"However, we would disagree that he has any right to investigate or prosecute our members who are elected to voice the frustration over severe pay cuts and further proposed cuts. There is nothing to investigate as far as we are concerned."

After the men appear before Assistant Commissioner Fanning, it will become clearer what form or investigation or sanction will be pursued against the men.

The move to investigate them will be seen as contentious within the Garda because the men are being disciplined for their actions when representing their colleagues at a staff association conference rather than for any alleged wrongdoing while working as gardai.

They walked out at the start of Mr Shatter's speech to the Agsi conference in Sligo on Monday evening and did the same thing yesterday as Commissioner Callinan was beginning his address. They explained later they had been mandated by the members of their local Agsi branch to stage the walk out as a means of registering their lack of confidence in Mr Shatter and Commissioner Callinan after a period in which Garda resources and remuneration have been reduced.

However, members of An Garda Siochana swear an oath when they join the force pledging to remain apolitical and not to engage in any form of industrial action or related protests. The walk out has already been strong condemned by Mr Shatter. Commissioner Callinan also said at the conference last night that he planned to investigate the matter and that process has now begun.