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Potential-Monke

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http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/garda-chiefs-accused-turning-backs-7372575#ICID=sharebar_facebook

Garda chiefs are accused of “turning their backs” on one of their own by slashing an injured garda’s pay to zero - after he was left with brain damage following a serious attack while on duty.

Garda John Nee, a 33-year-old married dad-of-four from Galway, is being treated “worse than a criminal” - according to his father-in-law John Feehan.

Mr Feehan (58) told The Irish Mirror: “My son-in-law was left with brain damage after being attacked while on duty and he should be on full pay - but instead they have turned their backs on him.

“It is unbelievable how they are treating him and his family, who have suffered incredible stress and financial hardship, unable to pay back loans and other costs, because of the ordeal.

“I don’t understand how or why they are treating him like this, but I am told he is not the only garda with this problem and that they fear speaking out due to laws preventing them from speaking to the media.”

John Nee graduated as a garda in 2003 with huge ambitions to rise through garda ranks and received numerous commendations for his police work, which included saving a man from drowning in the River Shannon.

He was based in Athlone Garda Station for three years in June 2009 when he and another garda were attacked by a man near their station.

The man was arrested earlier that night for being drunk and disorderly, but was released a few hours later when Garda Nee and his patrol car partner were told to check on him as he walked through an estate.

But when they tried to speak with the young man, he punched Garda Nee in the head behind his right ear and head-butted the other male garda.

John Nee after graduating as a garda in 2003.
He was taken back into custody, but when Garda Nee arrived at the station he collapsed unconscious and was rushed to hospital.

His next memory, about a week later, is standing in the corridor in Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Galway with a nurse running towards him shouting “you shouldn’t be out of bed.”

He had a severe headache, which he still has to this day, mild dementia and vertigo and was told by a neurologist that he was “lucky to be alive.”

Mr Feehan said Garda Nee was back to work a few months later, but he continued to suffer from headaches and memory loss, which saw him being “on and off” duty until July, 2014 when he was deemed unfit for duty after an examination with a garda doctor.

He said: “They effectively wrote him off and began to pay him TRR, which is temporary rehabilitation remuneration and amounted to about €80 a week after his health insurance was paid.

“He has since been sent a letter at the start of February stating that his TRR payment would be cut and that he would be taken off the payroll entirely because his sick leave exceeded 730 days over the past four years. He was told his last payment would be this coming Thursday.

“Incredibly, had he actually done something wrong while on duty he would be suspended on full or near full pay.”

Mr Feehan explained that garda management accept John Nee was injured while on duty in 2009 - but that they deny his brain injuries, that prevent him from working, are due to that attack.

He added: “John wants to go back to work. He wants to get specialist treatment to make him well enough to return, but he can’t afford it and now he has had his pay cut.

“He can’t even get financial support from his local social welfare office because he is still a garda.”

When asked to comment, a garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána do not comment on internal matters.”

kub

I am surprised at this, it is crazy. Could there be another side to this story?

kala85

Absolutely shocking.

kub

kub wrote: »

I am surprised at this, it is crazy. Could there be another side to this story?

Like?

Little CuChulainn

kub wrote: »

I am surprised at this, it is crazy. Could there be another side to this story?

No. This is regular behaviour for the Garda medical officer. I've had to deal with it myself after being injured on duty and suffering a recurrence of the injury a short time after returning to work. They have no interest in helping members, only limiting liability.

kub

Again thanks lads, but this truly is appalling, if i was this victim i would be having a chat with my solicitor.
Surely the employer here has a duty of care, that is a basic necessity in health and safety.

esforum

takes years KUb and one this big will be fought. Yeah when he wins (assumign he does) it will set the family up but theres still bills to pay while that rumbles on.

punisher5112

He needs to claim he was embarrassed or defamed and he will be awarded big bucks.

What a country we live in.