Taoiseach responds to Mayo questions on conviction of garda for assault on his wife
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has responded to questions raised with him by Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh in respect of a garda convicted of an assault in 2012 against his wife.
Trevor Bolger, who was suspended from the force, was given a three-month sentence for an assault offence last January after more serious charges of threats to kill and coercion were dropped following a plea agreement.
The victim of the assault, Garda Margaret Loftus, criticised the plea deal, saying it made her feel like "justice was never going to be in the spirit of what justice should be."
Speaking in Dáil Éireann, the Erris-based deputy stated: "The recent case and indeed the resilience and courage of former Garda Margaret Loftus exposed the systematic and institutionalised failures in addressing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland, particularly when the alleged perpetrators are members of An Garda Síochána.
"Reliance on self-disclosure leaves systematic blind spots, allowing potential perpetrators to maintain investigative authority over other victims.
"Without statutory oversight, independent monitoring and systemic reform, garda structures can shield perpetrators and undermine public confidence.
"I welcome the recent setting up of the dedicated domestic violence unit, but does the Taoiseach agree that the mandatory reporting of barring and protection orders is now necessary?
"Does he believe it is right that a garda who is convicted of breaking the law should still serve in An Garda Síochána?"
In his response, An Taoiseach stated: "There has to be clear rules in terms of our uniformed services, particularly our garda and our military.
"There are rules in respect of people who are convicted of crimes. They should not serve.
"When people are charged, they are sometimes suspended pending the outcome of the investigation and so forth. I salute the courage of Margaret Loftus.
"On the mandatory reporting of barring orders, I would like a report back on that. I think the Minister for Justice is working on something in that regard."