Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed there are currently six gardaí suspended from the force for more than four years.
In a written Dáil response to Carol Nolan TD, Ms McEntee said there are currently 108 gardaí on suspension.
In addition to the six currently suspended for more than four years, the Minister confirmed there are a further 18 suspended between three and four years with 20 suspended between two and three years.
The highest number of gardaí – at 37 – are suspended between one and two years. Some 27 are suspended less than one year.
In her reply, Ms McEntee said: "Some members are before the courts and are awaiting dates for trials and therefore discipline investigations have to be put into abeyance, pending conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
"In other cases discipline investigations are ongoing or the case may be subject to a hearing before a Board of Inquiry or Appeal Board, which all impact on suspensions".
Ms McEntee said "there is no maximum duration that a member of An Garda Síochána can be suspended for, as each case is different and has to be decided on its merits.
"Each suspension is reviewed on a regular basis for any changes in circumstances.”
The Minister said that in all cases where a member of An Garda Síochána is suspended, they are informed of the reason for the suspension.
Upon suspension, the member is served with a notice which sets out the conditions attached to the suspension and the entitlements or otherwise of the suspended member.
At Ennis District Court earlier this month, Judge Alec Gabbett gave a serving garda charged with drink-driving and careless driving an early trial date after being told that gardaí suspended from duty “face huge financial consequences”.
In the case before Ennis District Court, David Kenneally (41), of The Maples, Oakleigh Wood, Tulla Rd, Ennis, is contesting three separate charges being brought against him that are alleged to have occurred at Abbey Street, Ennis on February 5th last year.
In court, State Solicitor for Co Limerick Aidan Judge asked the judge that a trial date be fixed for late March or April next year.
Mr Judge said that he was not available before then for the case in Ennis because of work commitments elsewhere.
Solicitor for Mr Kenneally, Daragh Hassett, said he could not consent to the case going back to next March or April.
Mr Hassett said Mr Kennally is a serving member “and because of these charges he is not working”.
He said: "We are all well aware that members who are suspended face huge financial consequences.”
Judge Gabbett said that he would fix a date for January 8th next at Ennis District Court.
