The High Court has reserved judgment on a challenge by a clerical worker at Garda HQ to the Garda Commissioner’s decision to dismiss him after he admitted having child pornography at his home.
Anthony Purdy admitted before Dublin District Court in 2010 to a single charge of possessing child pornography after video images were found by gardaí on an external computer hard drive at his home on April 13th, 2009.
The charge against him was struck out in 2011 after he paid €2,500 to charity.In 2012 the Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, decided Mr Purdy’s position was “untenable” and he should be dismissed.
The Civil Service Disciplinary Appeals Board, in a non- binding recommendation, said dismissal was too severe. The matter was remitted to the Garda Commissioner who in October 2012 again decided on dismissal.