Gardaí drinking seized alcohol 'common practice'

jonsnow

Interesting article in yesterdays Irish Times.I wonder who this young garda annoyed so much that hes on the mattress for "destroying" seized alcohol.Looks like one of the perks of the job is being withdrawn?

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0707/1224319600461.html


A FORMER garda at Bray station has claimed it is common practice for members of the force to consume alcoholic drink seized by the Garda. The claim was made by James Murphy in statements prepared for Det Insp Frank Keeneghan, who was appointed to carry out an investigation into allegations against the former garda.

Mr Murphy, of Duncormack, New Ross, is before Wicklow Circuit Court sitting in Bray accused of dishonestly appropriating for himself two slabs of Bulmers cider which had been stolen by two youths from a Centra shop in Dargle Road, Bray, in June 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In his statements, Mr Murphy said no official complaint about the stolen cider had been made within six months and taking a case had become statute barred. He had attempted several times to contact Tania Williams from the Centra shop but she had never got back to him.

Mr Murphy’s statements said the cider was taken to a house party and consumed. It was destroyed in that manner. That was a common practice. He did not consume any of it himself.

Det Insp Keeneghan said a case of theft never became statute barred, even if a complaint was not made within six months. The theft from Centra never became statute barred. He got Ms Williams’s phone number from Mr Murphy’s locker and had no problem in contacting her.

Det Insp Keeneghan said the claim in Mr Murphy’s statement that it was common practice that drink was consumed was untrue. It never happened. The Garda code of conduct never made any mention of that. Mr Murphy was simply incorrect in what he said.

Insp Michael Walsh said he met Mr Murphy on February 8th, 2010. Mr Murphy told him he had seized the drink. Asked if it was in the property store, he said it was not. Asked where it was, he replied: “It is gone.”

Asked in cross-examination if he had told Mr Murphy to bury the file and never bring it up again, Insp Walsh said that conversation never took place.

Insp Walsh, who was asked to prepare a report for the Garda Commissioner, agreed there was a certain amount of difficulty in relation to Mr Murphy – a probation garda at the time – his suitability for the Garda and whether he would be appointed. He said Mr Murphy had received a citation for jumping into a river in Cork.

Garda Philip Sheridan was asked by defence counsel if he had made a suggestion in Bray Garda station about having a “little competition to see who would seize the most beer for a barbecue being held in the station”.

“Certainly not, absolutely not,” Garda Sheridan replied.

The trial continues.

Lumbo

I heard that if you're a Public Servant and the off license is closed you can go to the Garda and they'll give you as much Dutch Gold as your arms can (no pun intended) carry.

Kiera

What is meant to happen to all the drink the guards confiscate?

MugMugs

Well they're required to "dispose of evidence" are they not?

Waste not, want not

mattjack

Kiera wrote: »

What is meant to happen to all the drink the guards confiscate?

'hic' .. dunno.

Rabies

Kiera wrote: »

What is meant to happen to all the drink the guards confiscate?

Exactly. If it was thrown out people would still complain. At least its getting used.

Tombi!

That wasn't taken of people in the gardens though.
It was stolen slabs.

So basically "we take the stolen goods and drink it".

And I love how he couldn't contact her.

Guess the poor fecker couldn't get anyone to give him a lift

paddyandy

I doubt most Guards would touch Dutch Gold or Huzzar paint remover .

minidazzler

I'd hate to see the drink go to waste, let them have it.

Though there is little as annoying as a drunk Garda.

Pedant

Think about all those poor people in Africa looking for a drink and here's Gardaí shamefully throwing perfectly good alcohol away. It's a disgrace, Joe.

mikemac1

Ex-garda who is now gone from the force and has two inspectors angry with him

That man sure knows how to make enemies!

Intensive Care Bear

You should see what some of them do with drugs. Im sure i will be called a liar but i have smoked weed (among other things) that made its way back out of a garda station.

Sunnyisland

jon snow wrote: »

Interesting article in yesterdays Irish Times.I wonder who this young garda annoyed so much that hes on the mattress for "destroying" seized alcohol.Looks like one of the perks of the job is being withdrawn?

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0707/1224319600461.html


A FORMER garda at Bray station has claimed it is common practice for members of the force to consume alcoholic drink seized by the Garda. The claim was made by James Murphy in statements prepared for Det Insp Frank Keeneghan, who was appointed to carry out an investigation into allegations against the former garda.

Mr Murphy’s statements said the cider was taken to a house party and consumed. It was destroyed in that manner. That was a common practice. He did not consume any of it himself.

:D Wonder what they do with all the weed/hash they confiscate

Irish_wolf

Surely though the shop would have either been reimbursed for the cans or would have received some sort of compensation from the insurance company. Not like the guards could have legally just given the shop the cans back so they could sell them.

So it's either going to rot in storage or evidence, get thrown out, or the gardai can drink it for themselves at no extra cost or loss to anyone?

So who cares really except no one loses out except maybe that the off-license loses a couple of customers.

admiralofthefleet

wonder what they do with the drugs the sieze

Tombi!

Irish_wolf wrote: »

Surely though the shop would have either been reimbursed for the cans or would have received some sort of compensation from the insurance company. Not like the guards could have legally just given the shop the cans back so they could sell them.

So it's either going to rot in storage or evidence, get thrown out, or the gardai can drink it for themselves at no extra cost or loss to anyone?

So who cares really except no one loses out except maybe that the off-license loses a couple of customers.

You missed the point where the lazy fecker nice garda couldn't get in contact with the shop.

I believe the official reason is "the motor wouldn't get me there so I could only use a phone"

Rabies

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

wonder what they do with the drugs the sieze

Re sell on the street, then re-acquire.
keep the market price going up

SocSocPol

Kiera wrote: »

What is meant to happen to all the drink the guards confiscate?

In the case of stolen goods they are supposed to return them to the lawful owner.

Nulty

Allowing them to consume the drink introduces the opportunity for corruption. They should not be allowed to drink it.

Rabies

SocSocPol wrote: »

In the case of stolen goods they are supposed to return them to the lawful owner.

They can go get it themselves. Was taken for a reason.

christmas2012

thats crazy a gard endangering his job just so he could have a few slurps of drink..not on

B.A._Baracus

Gardai drinking siezed alcohol?


... is anyone actually shocked by this?
... better question, is there anyone who didnt know this? :pac:

Maldesu

Kiera wrote: »

What is meant to happen to all the drink the guards confiscate?

Think its supposed to be incinerated. I'd rather they drink it than burn it.

cursai

Bull of the highest muckitude this thread is.

hondasam

I love a good party down at the station.

dj jarvis

i was in bray garda station maybe 15 years ago to make a statement about a RTA i witnessed , they kept me waiting for a age , so long, i missed closing time and could not stock up for a party i was DJing at.

said to the garda " nice one - now im dry - any cider for sale ? " he put his finger to his lips to keep me quiet - the Sargent was within earshot, motioned me to follow him , out to the car , popped open the boot of the patrol car.

inside was bags of beer , and said " help yourself " , i did , 2 carrier bags full of beer i took , all carlsberg to boot , and there was PLENTY left in it.

they even gave me a lift to the session - and it was a illegal rave :eek:
funny lot those bray garda !!!

johndoe99

Mr Murphy had received a citation for jumping into a river in Cork.

he must be a strange fellow, going aroung jumping in rivers, something definitely wrong with him.

More concerning to me is that he apparently believes there's a 6 month statute of limitations on theft. Either he believes that or is lying so I'm going to go with him being quite ignorant of the law.

krudler

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

wonder what they do with the drugs the sieze

whack it down to nothing then sell it off bit by bit, didnt you see American Gangster?

leonidas83

cursai wrote: »

Bull of the highest muckitude this thread is.

Why dont u give a point of view instead of just criticising the thread, if dont like it you know where to go.

I think people are beginning to realise more and more in recent months that being a member of the gardai allows you some serious perks.

minidazzler

dj jarvis wrote: »

i was in bray garda station maybe 15 years ago to make a statement about a RTA i witnessed , they kept me waiting for a age , so long, i missed closing time and could not stock up for a party i was DJing at.

said to the garda " nice one - now im dry - any cider for sale ? " he put his finger to his lips to keep me quiet - the Sargent was within earshot, motioned me to follow him , out to the car , popped open the boot of the patrol car.

inside was bags of beer , and said " help yourself " , i did , 2 carrier bags full of beer i took , all carlsberg to boot , and there was PLENTY left in it.

they even gave me a lift to the session - and it was a illegal rave :eek:
funny lot those bray garda !!!

Wait, did he give it free?

dj jarvis

minidazzler wrote: »

Wait, did he give it free?

yup !! the reason i asked to buy cider was, certain stations around south county Dublin were notorious for selling confiscated beer / cider
granted this was in the 80's
also knew of a garda around the same era that would sell the odd bit of smelly if you asked nicely

don't know why people were are so surprised - i thought this was common knowledge

Feathers

Irish_wolf wrote: »

Not like the guards could have legally just given the shop the cans back so they could sell them.

Why not? Is there some law around that? I mean, if they don't seem opened/tampered with, I'd presume that's exactly what you'd do — it's not like it's a naggin in some 16 year old's hand in a field, you're talking slabs. Any other recovered stolen goods, surely you'd be able to give back? (Not that I'm surprised it happens)

Tombi!

Feathers wrote: »

Why not? Is there some law around that? I mean, if they don't seem opened/tampered with, I'd presume that's exactly what you'd do — it's not like it's a naggin in some 16 year old's hand in a field, you're talking slabs. Any other recovered stolen goods, surely you'd be able to give back? (Not that I'm surprised it happens)

The garda did state he tried phoning her. I'm not sure why he couldn't use his legs or car to get to the f**king shop himself.

xperi

i lived next door to a garda a few years ago , sound fella would regulary drop me in beer he took off under age lads. told me it was common practise for himself & his collogues to take it home, i cant see anything wrong with that ?

suicide_circus

1210m5g wrote: »

You should see what some of them do with drugs. Im sure i will be called a liar but i have smoked weed (among other things) that made its way back out of a garda station.

Yep i've seen this myself. Quite common for people to get caught with a small amount of smoke or pills and a garda confiscates and goes on his way, no summons forthcoming.

Oranage2

Isnt it well known that Gardai will keep drink and drugs they confiscate and drink/use it themselves or give it away to somebody they know?

Go to the bathroom in coppers and you'll see the fine members of the Garda siochana powdering their noses.

SocSocPol

Rabies wrote: »

They can go get it themselves. Was taken for a reason.

The lawful owner was the Supermarket from which it was stolen...duh!

Carbon Bootprint

dj jarvis wrote: »

i was in bray garda station maybe 15 years ago to make a statement about a RTA i witnessed , they kept me waiting for a age , so long, i missed closing time and could not stock up for a party i was DJing at.

said to the garda " nice one - now im dry - any cider for sale ? " he put his finger to his lips to keep me quiet - the Sargent was within earshot, motioned me to follow him , out to the car , popped open the boot of the patrol car.

inside was bags of beer , and said " help yourself " , i did , 2 carrier bags full of beer i took , all carlsberg to boot , and there was PLENTY left in it.

they even gave me a lift to the session - and it was a illegal rave :eek:
funny lot those bray garda !!!

I hope you've been giving that guard a Christmas card every year at the least. Sounds like a handy friend to have if you ever need one.

Eru

suicide_circus wrote: »

Yep i've seen this myself. Quite common for people to get caught with a small amount of smoke or pills and a garda confiscates and goes on his way, no summons forthcoming.

and that means the garda is a coke sniffing addict instead of that he simple didnt bother summoning for a petty offence and flushed the stuff or sent it for destruction?

I have never summonsed for petty possession, never put it up my nose either.

wexie

Maldesu wrote: »

Think its supposed to be incinerated. I'd rather they drink it than burn it.

I'm guessing it takes a special kind of incinerator to burn cider?

A FORMER garda at Bray station has claimed it is common practice for members of the force to consume alcoholic drink seized by the Garda.


Insp Walsh, agreed there was a certain amount of difficulty in relation to Mr Murphy – a probation garda at the time – his suitability for the Garda and whether he would be appointed. He said Mr Murphy had received a citation for jumping into a river in Cork.

.[/QUOTE]

disgruntled ex-employee makes claims to stop himself being convicted of theft.

shocking.

instead of bashing the Gardai maybe people should be impressed that they spotted a dodgy one and got rid of him!!!

the groutch

and people were surprised that so many on another thread were saying they wouldnt hand a wallet into the Gardai?

steddyeddy

bubblypop wrote: »

A FORMER garda at Bray station has claimed it is common practice for members of the force to consume alcoholic drink seized by the Garda.


Insp Walsh, agreed there was a certain amount of difficulty in relation to Mr Murphy – a probation garda at the time – his suitability for the Garda and whether he would be appointed. He said Mr Murphy had received a citation for jumping into a river in Cork.

.

disgruntled ex-employee makes claims to stop himself being convicted of theft.

shocking.

instead of bashing the Gardai maybe people should be impressed that they spotted a dodgy one and got rid of him!!![/QUOTE]

Im glad they spotted him but there is a lot more dodgy gaurds they could and should get rid off. They would do themselves a massive favour too by getting rid of gaurds that got the job because their mammy/daddy was a gaurd.

cursai

leonidas83 wrote: »

Why dont u give a point of view instead of just criticising the thread, if dont like it you know where to go.

I think people are beginning to realise more and more in recent months that being a member of the gardai allows you some serious perks.

Bull. The only people who think like this are teenagers and people with attitude problems. The same type of people who have no interaction with their community i.e. The Garda.
these stories are sparse and exaggerated. Bull and muck. Time for people to stop basing their opinions on other peoples fabulous stories.

eoinkildare

I have never seen anyone using drugs in Coppers nor have I ever heard of any Guard taking home seized drugs for himself or anyone else...

SocSocPol

eoinkildare wrote: »

I have never seen anyone using drugs in Coppers nor have I ever heard of any Guard taking home seized drugs for himself or anyone else...

Then perhaps you are lucky to have led such a sheltered life:D

Victor

Deleted User wrote: »

More concerning to me is that he apparently believes there's a 6 month statute of limitations on theft. Either he believes that or is lying so I'm going to go with him being quite ignorant of the law.

The correct term would be mistaken. The is a six month limit in bringing summons under the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851.

Casillas

Lots of people saying what's the harm, you've got to remember this has to do with the public perception of and trust in the Gardai. It's low enough as is..

MagicSean

Casillas wrote: »

Lots of people saying what's the harm, you've got to remember this has to do with the public perception of and trust in the Gardai. It's low enough as is..

Find me a police force you could say the opposite of. People will always resent those who enforce the law. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the law does not always do what people want it to. Secondly, people don't like having the law enforced on them.

Casillas

MagicSean wrote: »

Find me a police force you could say the opposite of. People will always resent those who enforce the law. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the law does not always do what people want it to. Secondly, people don't like having the law enforced on them.

There's no reason for the Gardai to try an provoke further hostility towards themselves. Contrary to popular belief the Gardai are very reliant on the willingness of local communities to work with them, in order to get anything done.