This article is from page 8 of the 2006-03-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
GARDA Pat Keating should know within a week if he is to be reinstated to his post at Shannon Garda station, according to the Garda Representative Association (GRA).
Gda Keating (33) was last week found not guilty of threatening a woman in Shannon, after a four-day trial at Ennis Circuit Court.
Keating is facing a public order charge in the District Court in April, in relation to a separate alleged offence in March 2004.
A source close to the garda said he was keen to return to work in Shannon, where he had been stationed for most of his 10-year career in the force.
The GRA supported Gda Keating during the trial. Its Clare spokesman Gda Tom Keane believes Gda Keating should be allowed to return to work in the short term.
“He has been acquitted. He is not guilty of anything and he has nothing to fear. He has been totally vindicated by a jury of his peers.”
Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn, meanwhile, said the decision on Gda Keating’s future rested with the Assistant Commissioner in charge of personnel, Catherine Clancy.
“There is a process to be followed and that is in train. I expect a decision will be made in the short term,” said Chief Supt Quinn. He said there was no general trend in such cases, as the Gda Keating situation was “most unusual”.
“A decision to suspend a garda is made by the Commissioner and is made on the circumstances surrounding a particular case,” he said.
Gda Keating has been suspended since allegations were made against him by his former girlfriend Eavan Drysdale in August 2004. He was acquitted of the charge of threatening her.
The case he is facing in the District Court is a more minor charge, one of engaging in offensive conduct in March 2004, an allegation which did not result in him being suspended.