THIS MORNING, FIANNA Fáil spokesperson on justice Jim O’Callaghan has described the idea of disciplining individual gardaí over the fake breath test scandal as being an exercise in futility.

Quoted in the Sunday Times, O’Callaghan said that it is “highly unlikely” that gardaí will be disciplined as, given over 1.4 million false tests were recorded, the sheer magnitude of the cases involved suggest that faking tests was widespread “practice” as opposed to anything that could be pinned on an individual.

O’Callaghan, who suggests that focus would be better applied by ensuring that the information gardaí disseminate to the public is accurate going forward, is directly at odds with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on the issue, who has said that there should be individual accountability for anyone found to have faked a test.

But who do you agree with?

We’re asking: Would taking disciplinary action against gardaí over fake breath tests be ‘a waste of time’?

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More