Garda says he recorded conversation with detective over job proposition

A Garda who was one of five members removed from the force's Anti-Racketeering Unit (ARU) said yesterday he had tape-recorded…

A Garda who was one of five members removed from the force's Anti-Racketeering Unit (ARU) said yesterday he had tape-recorded a conversation with a detective sergeant because he had no idea whether a proposition being put to him would be honoured by the Garda authorities.

Garda Patrick Allen (46), now stationed in Cork city, has brought a claim to the High Court for damages relating to his conditions of employment against the Garda Commissioner, the State and Det Supt P.J. Browne.

Garda Allen and Supt (then Insp) Browne were, along with three other Garda officers, members of the ARU, which was set up in 1991. All five were transferred in 1994 following a Garda inquiry.

The court was told that extremely serious allegations were made against Insp Browne and Garda Allen. An inquiry was carried out and steps were taken to remove all members of the unit. The result, it was claimed, was a demotion to uniform duties for Garda Allen.

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In earlier evidence, Garda Allen told Mr Justice Butler he had been hospitalised in 1991 for six weeks. After his return to duty he was transferred from the Special Branch to uniformed duties in Bray.

His appeal against that move was rejected by the commissioner, who also later overruled a decision of the Review Body that he be left in the Special Branch but moved to a provincial town. He went to his solicitors but before starting proceedings he was approached by a Det Sgt Grehan.

Garda Allen said Sgt Grehan put a proposal before him, from the Commissioner, that he would not institute proceedings and would accept the order of the Commissioner to go back to uniformed duties for a 28-day period before rejoining the ARU.

Garda Allen said he agreed to the proposal and made a tape-recording of the conversation.

In reply to Mr Edmund Honohan SC, for the Commissioner and the State, Garda Allen yesterday told the court he had made the recording some time before he went to Bray. Sgt Grehan had not known he was being recorded.

Garda Allen said he had made the recording because he was taking a step into the unknown and had no idea if the offer would be honoured.

Garda Allen has claimed damages for alleged breach of duty, malicious falsehood, libel, slander and breach of his constitutional rights in relation to his conditions of employment. The Garda Commissioner, the State and Supt Browne deny the allegations.

In reply to Mr Frank Callanan SC, for Supt Browne, Garda Allen said that, following a period in St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, in 1991, a service firearm was taken from him. He admitted he had discharged his firearm in his home around May 1990 and had been cautioned.

Mr Callanan said that in relation to a "video recorder" incident of April 5th, 1993, Supt Browne would claim he was "somewhat put out" at that time by complaints in relation to items in the possession of members of ARU.

Supt Browne had reminded Garda Allen that the garda had asked if he could borrow a video recorder at Christmas and the superintendent had asked if he had returned it.

Garda Allen said he had not sought to borrow a recorder. He had always inferred from Supt Browne's statement that he was suggesting there had been larceny of the recorder.

The hearing continues today.