Kenny calls for urgent halt to Garda promotions
Kenny calls for urgent halt to Garda promotions - The Labour Party
Labour’s Eoghan Kenny TD has today called on the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, to intervene and immediately suspend all promotions to senior ranks within An Garda Síochána until the current anti-corruption investigation has concluded. Deputy Kenny said this was necessary to protect public trust and prevent those under investigation from advancing further into senior roles.
Deputy Kenny said:
“In June 2025 at the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, I raised very serious allegations involving a Chief Superintendent of An Garda Síochána and his wife being provided with accommodation at the Westbury Hotel in Dublin for three nights during the visit of former US President, Joe Biden. This was despite the Chief Superintendent in question being based in Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park and already living in Dublin.
“The fact is, this is yet another example of taxpayers’ money being abused by agencies of the State. My role as a member of the Public Accounts Committee is to vigorously call out any attempt to misuse the public purse. That is precisely what I am doing here.
“While I understand there is an investigation ongoing, my firm belief is that the Minister for Justice should intervene now and suspend any promotions to senior ranks within An Garda Síochána until that investigation has been completed. The last thing we want is for a person who may have abused public money to be promoted to an even more senior rank.
“The fact remains, that a serious allegation of the misuse of public money has been brought to my attention as a public representative. It must be dealt with thoroughly and transparently.
“The Minister for Justice must act decisively. He cannot allow senior promotions to proceed while this cloud of suspicion hangs over the process. Public confidence in An Garda Síochána depends on integrity at the very top. I am calling on the Minister to suspend promotions immediately, and to do so in the public interest.”