An application by a garda to quash a decision of a Garda disciplinary board against him was refused by the High Court yesterday. Mr Justice McKechnie made no order on costs.
Det Garda Peter Byrne challenged fines of £1,600 imposed on him by the Garda authorities following a disciplinary hearing into alleged complaints made by three of his neighbours, some going back as far as 1993.
He claimed his firearm had been taken from him and he was confined to desk duties at Garda Headquarters. Counsel for the garda said his client became aware that three neighbours in Swords, Co Dublin, had complained about the spreading of rumours about their families. The garda totally rejected the allegations.