A MINISTERIAL Garda driver has brought a High Court case over his removal from that duty following a claim by his wife, which he denies, of putting his official revolver to his mouth during a matrimonial dispute 12 years ago.
Garda Liam Farrell (51), who was driver for the late Séamus Brennan while he was Fianna Fáil chief whip, claims he was effectively demoted arising out of his wife’s disputed claim.
He wants High Court orders restoring him to his position, or an alternative similar position, plus payments and pension entitlements enjoyed by him when a ministerial driver.
The court heard Mr Farrell joined the Garda at age 20 and, having served at a number of stations and completed various courses, transferred to the Garda transport section. In 1998, after a month’s probation, he says he became Mr Brennan’s driver.
He claims he was experiencing marital difficulties in 2000 when the alleged incident with his wife, Helen, occurred. After the family got a computer, his wife became addicted to internet chat rooms, he claims. He claims he made an appointment with a psychiatrist for her on May 29th, 2000, and asked her to come to his bedroom to discuss the matter.
Garda Farrell told the court yesterday his wife refused to discuss the matter and went off shouting before leaving the house. He disputed her claims that he had taken his revolver from under a pillow and put it to his mouth and she ran out screaming. The court heard his wife, who has been living in England with their three children for the past 10 years, will be giving evidence next week.
The court heard two gardaí called to the family home later that day and Garda Farrell agreed to hand over his firearm and ammunition having become agitated when the officers told him of the allegation by his wife. An internal investigation was launched with an assistant commissioner later recommending he be cautioned over the incident.
In the meantime, he was transferred from driving duties to Dundrum, where he remained on protection duty at the Central Bank mint in Sandyford, which involved staying in a hut and watching TV monitors with occasional alarm drills.
Such a posting was mostly given to people winding down in their careers and, while he was told it was only temporary, he was “sitting in a room with nothing to do”.
He was effectively being ostracised and his career has come to a stop as a result of a disproportionate penalty over the alleged incident, he claimed.
After seeking leave on the death of his father, none of his Garda colleagues came to the funeral, he said. His medal of long service after 25 years in the force, usually given at a function to mark the event, was given to him by two gardaí who drove out to his hut, asked him to sign for the medal and drove off again.
Subsequent to the alleged incident with his wife, he applied for a permanent driver’s post but was told the interview was cancelled, his counsel Eugene Gleeson said.
Despite the fact the investigation into the alleged incident had not been completed, an assistant commissioner appeared to recommend Garda Farrell be cautioned, though he never received written notice of this, counsel said. The consequences of the investigation were devastating to his career.
In his action against the Garda Commissioner and the State, Garda Farrell claims the investigation was utterly flawed. As a result, he claims he has lost a prestigious position, incurred financial loss up to November 2010 of €60,000 and will suffer further future losses totalling €118,000. His health has also suffered, he said.
The defence deny his claims and say he was never assigned as a permanent ministerial driver. They also deny his career has been ruined or he has suffered financial loss. The hearing continues before Mr Justice George Birmingham.