Sources say the complaints, which have been known about internally for a number of years, are effectively “on hold” until Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly decides on whether or not to dismiss Trevor Bolger from the force
Margaret Loftus. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
A Garda who was convicted of assaulting his ex-wife is being internally investigated over a number of other claims, we can reveal.
Disgraced Trevor Bolger (48), who is currently suspended from duty, is understood to still be subject to a number of internal allegations that are not criminal in nature. However sources say the complaints, which have been known about internally for a number of years, are effectively “on hold” until Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly decides on whether or not to dismiss Bolger from the force.
It comes as Bolger’s ex wife Margaret Loftus, who is herself a former Garda, says she fears that the Commissioner ultimately may not be able to dismiss Bolger, because he pleaded to a lesser charge that was already dealt with in the courts.
“All the Commissioner has in front of him is a Section 2 conviction which is weak and minimal on paper,” Margaret said.
“But because the guards took everything he did in isolation you can’t be punished for the same thing twice. So I am worried. The probation service did tell me to prepare myself that he could keep his job.”
This paper has learned that internal affairs within An Garda Siochana are also still dealing with pending allegations made about Bolger while he was a serving member. Some were made prior to him being suspended from the force in 2019 amid the criminal investigation into his assault on Ms Loftus. But sources say the matters cannot be dealt with until the current disciplinary process concerning whether or not he will keep his job is over.
Trevor Bolger
Trevor Bolger with an address in Swords in Co Dublin arriving at the Central Criminal Court.
It is not clear whether those claims, which are not criminal in nature, are being considered by the Commissioner when weighing whether or not to dismiss Bolger. Officially gardai say they cannot comment on internal matters and have stated that a member remains suspended without pay. The claims are understood to be about other internal matters that come as Margaret reveals that Garda Headquarters are aware of over 20 PULSE checks that her ex made on her while he was still serving.
“He did over 20 pulse checks against me. This is 20 checks on the same person. That should amount to harassment,” she said.
Meanwhile brave Margaret, who previously said she would handcuff herself to the gates of Leinster House if Bolger is not dismissed from the force, said she has been contacted by hundreds of women who claim to be going through similar horrific ordeals.
“I have received hundreds of messages from women whose partners or ex partners are guards or ex guards and they’ve all had similar experiences to me. They are going through hell. There’s people right now suffering because of this,” she said.
(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
Margaret said she’s calling on Commissioner Kelly to meet with her on the issue.
“I want to meet the Commissioner to discuss the large volume of messages I’ve got from women experiencing similar problems with their ex partners who are Garda members and also to give a general feedback back from the lack of response women are getting when they do go to the Gardai.”
She has also expressed her concern to the Commissioner’s office that some members of the force appeared to be present in court to support Bolger. It is understood Garda Headquarters are aware of the claims, but sources say there is currently no disciplinary action taking place against any members who attended the court case.
Margaret says she remains in contact with the Commissioner’s office who have assured her they are looking into matters. But she says she remains concerned that the system has not changed in the wake of her case.
“I think there’s an element of appeasement going on where I’m being told these lovely fluffy things to appease me but there’s no action. It’s this lovely idea that the government is ramming down our throats that they have a zero tolerance for violence against women. But it’s gaslighting us by telling us that when we are seeing what’s happening in reality. “Nothing has changed since my case.”
Trevor Bolger attacked Margaret Loftus after they attended a family party in Co Mayo on 24 October 2012.
He was given a suspended sentence having pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault that carried a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment. His plea meant more serious charges of threats to kill and coercion were dropped – much to the dismay of Margaret, who has spent years in the courts fighting for justice. Last year, Detective Garda Rioghnach O’Sullivan told the court that in October 2012, the couple had travelled to her home county in Balla, Co Mayo, for a family event.
Bolger was irate because Ms Loftus spoke to her family and did not stay by his side, and he sat at the bar drinking for the night. When they returned home to her childhood bedroom in which they were staying, he hit her in the back and grabbed her by the hair while she begged him not to hurt her. She described it as a “protracted assault” which was “terrifying”, and she feared that if she had stayed with him, she would have been killed, so she ended the marriage the next day.
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