THE DEPUTY Garda Commissioner has told the High Court that changing the compulsory retirement age for assistant commissioners back from 60 to 65, as sought by Assistant Commissioner Martin Donnellan, would adversely affect promotional opportunities within the force.
Deputy Commissioner Martin Callanan said the later retirement age of 65 for assistant commissioners would have an adverse “domino effect” on promotional opportunities.
Mr Callanan, responsible for strategy and change management within the Garda, was giving evidence for the State on the second day of the hearing of the challenge by Mr Donnellan to a 1996 regulation which reduced the retirement age for ACs down from 65 to 60.
Mr Donnellan claims the lower age limit is ageist, irrational and contrary to changes in life expectancy among the general population in the last decade or so. Due to retire next Saturday, his 60th birthday, Mr Donnellan, wants the High Court to strike down the regulation in his action against the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Garda Commissioner and the State.
Yesterday, Mr Callanan, who was appointed to the second highest role in the Garda in January 2007, told Shane Murphy SC, with Brian Murray SC, that if the retirement age was extended by another five years, it would mean that vacancies for the country’s 52 chief superintendents would be blocked up for another five years.
At least eight of the current 12 ACs would be entitled to remain on for another five years and that would have a knock-on effect through the ranks, he said.
If the action was successful, it would mean that chief superintendents, who must also retire at 60, would look for an extension of their employment, which would lead to delays for superintendents and inspectors seeking to move up through the ranks, he said.
Promotional prospects were an important motivating factor for people in the force and there was a risk of people moving to other employment if promotional opportunities were delayed.
Mr Callanan agreed with Mr Justice Liam McKechnie that the “domino effect” was likely to be diluted lower down the ranks because of the large number of gardaí, 13,870, in the force.
Mr Callanan said 2,100 recruits had third-level qualifications and many would seek advancement.
Mr Donnellan, the longest serving detective in the State, has said he felt he had more to offer in helping to improve the force. The case resumes tomorrow.