A disciplinary investigation has been launched into the incident in which the personal-protection detective allegedly left an official firearm in a Dublin city centre store while shopping.
The Irish Independent has learnt that the detective, who works in a unit tasked with guarding government ministers, was on duty on the day of the alleged incident in a Ted Baker shop on Grafton Street this week.
The temporary loss of the handgun is being treated as a serious matter by senior gardaí, who are trying to establish the circumstances.
It is understood the detective has been stood down from close-protection duties while the disciplinary investigation is carried out.
Gardaí confirmed a “senior garda officer is conducting a disciplinary investigation into this matter”.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – August 15th
It is believed the armed officer was shopping in Dublin city centre on Monday and used the changing room while in a Ted Baker store.
The officer then left the shop, and when a staff member later entered the dressing room they found a handgun inside.
Local gardaí were notified and the detective, who in the meantime had realised the firearm was missing, returned to the store to retrieve it.
Garda HQ was made aware of the incident, which is now being investigated.
A source said: “Staff noticed the gun and, thankfully, notified gardaí straight away.
“The outcome could have been a lot different if the weapon was picked up by the wrong person.
“There are protocols around booking in your weapon when tending to personal matters while on your working tour, and this will be one aspect looked at.”
The garda watchdog carried out a public interest inquiry after a sub-machine gun was found on a Dublin street
Every government minister is afforded protection by an armed detective, who acts as their driver and bodyguard.
Previously, only taoisigh, tánaistí, attorneys general and justice ministers received a garda protection officer.
In 2022, this was expanded to include other members of the Cabinet due to an increase in threat levels.
In a separate incident relating to the temporary loss of an official firearm in July 2018, the garda watchdog carried out a public interest inquiry after a sub-machine gun was found on a Dublin street. It was found by a member of the public on Harcourt Street and handed in to a garda station.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) found the weapon had been properly placed in the boot of a garda car, which had opened as the vehicle exited the garda station and mounted a ramp.
Gsoc ruled in a report the following year that the two officers involved should not face sanctions.
The Irish Independent made efforts to contact Ted Baker.
