Detective settles action against Garda

DETECTIVE garda who claimed he was unlawfully transferred to uniform duties following a statement he made during a court hearing…

DETECTIVE garda who claimed he was unlawfully transferred to uniform duties following a statement he made during a court hearing four years ago yesterday settled his claim for damages and defamation against the Garda authorities.

Det Garda Fergal Foley, of Rye River Close, Leixlip, Co Kildare, claimed the transfer was tantamount to demotion and followed a statement he made during a district court hearing in 1992.

Yesterday was the third day of the hearing of his claim against the Garda authorities.

Garda Foley denied he had been "indiscreet" when he told Judge Gillian Hussey he believed irregular representations had been made in a case he was investigating. Following the decision to transfer him, he served in Ronanstown, Co Dublin, before being reappointed a detective in 1995.