A senior garda who is a member of the anti-corruption unit has been banned for life from competing in the Dublin Marathon after he allegedly used the Luas to complete the race last month.
Organisers told The Irish Mirror that they have finished their investigation into the incident and confirmed the individual “will be disqualified from future Dublin Marathon or Dublin Race Series events”.
The officer was off-duty when he took part.
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The garda had an average running pace of nearly 10 minutes per mile during the first half of the race but this was cut to nearly six minutes per mile in the second half.
An estimated 25,000 took part in the 26.2 mile race around Dublin City which passed through a number of residential areas on Sunday, October 30.
The marathon route was one lap around the city. The 26.2 mile race began at Fitzwilliam Street and moved along Leeson Street Lower up towards Ushers Quay.
The route crossed the river and headed towards Phoenix Park. Runners also went through Inchicore and South Circular Road, Crumlin, Terenure, Rathgar, Clonskeagh and Stillorgan.
Runners eventually crossed the finish line at Merrion Square North. Last month’s Dublin Marathon was the first one since 2019 after the ones in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Suspicions were raised that he may have used the Luas to complete a portion of the race.
The cop, who had a finishing time in the top 6% of runners, has since apologised and returned both his medal and T-shirt.
When contacted by The Irish Mirror, Garda told us: “An Garda Síochána is aware of a matter at the recent Dublin City Marathon involving an off-duty Garda.
"An Garda Síochána is currently conducting an internal fact finding review of the matter."
Marathon organisers said he has been banned from all future Dublin Marathon and Dublin Race Series events.
In a statement, organisers told us: “I can confirm an investigation has taken place into this matter by the Dublin Marathon.
“The individual has apologised and returned their finishing medal and T-shirt.
“As per the rules and regulations of the Dublin Marathon, this person will be disqualified from future Dublin Marathon or Dublin Race Series events.
“The Dublin Marathon will not be providing details of the individual involved in the investigation.”
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