More than half of all gifts accepted by members of An Garda Síochána over the past five years violated the force’s anti-corruption policies, according to a report released today by the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA). The gifts, which included alcohol, concert tickets, and sporting event passes, were approved by senior officers despite being explicitly prohibited under Garda regulations.
The PCSA report, which examined the implementation of anti-corruption measures within the Garda, found significant issues with the clarity and enforcement of its “gifts, hospitality and sponsorship policy.” The authority stated that a lack of clear definition regarding acceptable gifts is “leading to differing interpretations of what is acceptable” among Garda members.
Beyond the acceptance of prohibited gifts, the review revealed widespread failures in the recording of gifts received. An audit of gift registers across five Garda divisions found that only two gifts had been documented in a six-month period last year – a figure the PCSA deemed “not credible,” suggesting a systemic failure to comprehensively complete the registers.
The PCSA also highlighted a lack of transparency, noting that Garda Headquarters has not publicly published its gifts register since mid-2021, despite a policy requirement for regular public disclosure. The last publicly recorded gift dates back to July 2021, a €20 coffee voucher received by a Garda in Tralee, County Kerry.
Current Garda policy prohibits the acceptance of gifts such as alcohol, cash, cheques, vouchers, and anything that could potentially compromise the impartiality of personnel. Members are also barred from accepting gifts from individuals or businesses under Garda supervision, or from those who may incur costs for policing services.
Although some gifts are permissible – such as lunch at certain events or offers of refreshments during house calls where payment isn’t expected – gifts of “significant value” are prohibited, and solicitation of gifts is forbidden. The PCSA report found that over 50 percent of gifts accepted since 2021 were in violation of these guidelines. The fact that senior officers authorized these gifts, the report states, “casts a significant shadow over the extent of compliance by the rest of An Garda Síochána.”
The acceptance of alcohol as gifts has decreased in recent years, with exceptions made for fundraising events and charitable causes. The PCSA noted that 47 percent of gifts accepted between 2022 and 2024 were related to fundraising activities, such as prizes donated for Garda-run raffles benefiting local senior citizens’ clubs. While commending Gardaí for their community involvement, the authority expressed concern that such gifts may originate from pubs and restaurants with professional relationships with the force.
The PCSA is calling for greater clarity in the Garda policy, specifically defining what constitutes a gift of “significant value.” The findings of the report will be discussed today at a meeting between the PCSA and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.