O'Donoghue to inquire into garda trip claims

The Minster of Justice is to conduct inquiries into reports gardaí accepted free trips abroad from a tyre company which supplies the force.

Mr O'Donoghue was responding to questions on the allegations in the Dáil last night.

The inquiries follow a report in the Sunday Business Postalleging a number of gardaí accepted free trips to Italy, Spain, Portugal and England.

Advance Pitstop was said to have paid for the trip at an estimated cost of £45,000.

Fine Gael TD Mr Alan Shatter asked the Minster if it was appropriate gardaí went on trips organised and paid for by the company and whether he had had discussions with the Garda Commissioner on the matter.

Mr O'Donoghue said: "The matter is now being fully investigated and when the facts have been established this House will be fully informed."

He said the Public Offices Commission was looking into "whether there may be aspects of this matter which the Commission should examine."

He said: "At this stage I am not in position to comment on the veracity of the allegations other than to say that I can confirm that the company in question (along with several other tyre companies) do supply material for the Garda authorities."

Mr O'Donoghue said: "Let me state unequivocally that it is not acceptable for a public servant to accept gifts directly or in the form of free or subsidised trips in circumstances where it might be perceived as capable of influencing that person in the performance of their duty."