A member of the Garda Dogs Unit has brought a High Court action for damages over alleged hearing problems in both ears after being exposed to constant loud barking by dogs under his control in a Garda van.
Padráig McCartan, for Garda Thomas Donnelly (54), said his client was profoundly deaf to the extent that he was required to wear hearing aids.
The action is being taken against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Attorney General, who deny claims of negligence and breach of contract.
Yesterday, Mr McCartan said the dogs barked continuously within the van and the noise levels were very high, significantly offending the relevant regulations.
In evidence, Garda Donnelly said he joined the force in 1974 and the dog handling unit in 1979. His main function was to patrol the city in a Garda van with German Shepherd dogs to deal with serious disorder-type problems.
In 1992, the number of dogs under his control was increased and he had to look after them on a 24-hour basis with kennels at his home. He was involved in six-hour daytime patrols and seven hour nighttime patrols. The vans had steel metal cages and he would have two to four dogs in the back in cages.
Garda Donnelly said he was still working with the dogs unit and enjoyed his work very much.
The hearing continues today before Mr Justice John Quirke.