If Gardaí are to be subjected to drug testing, it is only right that TDs are as well, a former Garda Sergeant has argued. 

In 2021, the Department of Justice announced that Gardaí would be subjected to drug testing, in a similar manner to members of the Defence Forces. 

Half a decade on, it is understood that the regulations are at an advanced stage but no publication date has been announced. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, former Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan said it should not have taken so long. 

 “I know there was some opposition to it,” he said. 

“The representative associations were worried about the legal assessments that were being put in place and the proper procedures and the processes that will have this rolling out.”

A Garda testing motorists for drug use. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

Whatever their concerns, Mr Galligan said it is important the scheme goes ahead to ensure the public trust in An Garda Síochána is maintained. 

“An Garda Síochána can't be enforcing the law if they're breaking it themselves,” he said. 

“And that's not being glib, that's a fact.

“And we know that there has been a substance misuse testing programme introduced for the PSNI in Northern Ireland since 2008. 

“We have it here for recruits in the Army there,  there's 10% to be randomly tested in the Irish Army.” 

Mr Galligan conceded there was an issue regarding false positives that needs to be examined carefully. 

“I myself was a former drugs officer here in Donegal and I spent a short period in Dublin as well,” he said. 

“And it becomes very easy to become infected or become contaminated with the drugs that the people that you're in contact with. 

“So, how do you avoid those false positives where studies have shown that the searchers and police stations have been contaminated with those drugs? 

“Then the test has to be carried out in a [way that is] fair, balanced and measured.”

All public servants

Whatever the Department of Justice decides, Mr Galligan added that he sees no reason why it should not be rolled out more widely. 

“I think the idea would be to roll it right out on all public and civil service - even up to the elected officials,” he said. 

“And if we're going to do random drug testing, let's do it right across the board - and not just in An Garda Síochána."

Main image: A split of a Garda and TDs in Leinster House. Pictures by: Rolling News and Alamy.