A garda has been disqualified and banned from taking part again in the Dublin Marathon after suspicions were raised that they may have used public transport to complete the 42km race.
It emerged that the garda, who is a member of the anti-corruption unit, did not complete the course when they ran the 26-mile race two weeks ago.
Questions were raised about the off-duty garda’s time amid suspicions they may have used the Luas to complete a portion of the race.
A spokesperson for the marathon said the person has apologised, returned their medal and t-shirt.
Their name has now been removed from the official results.
Dublin City Marathon said it has completed its investigation.
Garda Headquarters said today it is now conducting a “fact-finding review” of the matter to establish the facts of the case.
The officer has to be spoken to and gardaí have yet to receive an explanation as to what happened and why.
Senior gardaí say the officer will be given an opportunity to explain and will be offered support if deemed necessary.
They also say there may be professional implications for the garda and questions over their continued service in the anti-corruption unit.
I ran the Waterford AC Half Marathon this morning. First race of any description that I’d ran in possibly 5 years. I thought that injuries first and then illness had well and truly finished off my running days.
I had two good friends down from Dublin doing it, who I used to run with back in the day when I was living in Dublin. They prevailed upon me to do it a few weeks ago. I was in no condition really to be running it, didn’t have the miles in the legs and am about two stone over my proper running weight. I was genuinely fearful that I wouldn’t finish. I plodded along at a very slow pace for 12 miles. Had to take my first little walk just past the 12 mile mark before steadying myself for the final assault.
Never felt such a sense of achievement in finishing a race even with a time that I would have considered a complete embarrassment when I was running regularly. Got the bug again. Can’t beat the adrenaline of a race day. Training for the 2023 renewal on the first Saturday in December starts on Monday.
Cheers. Number 1 priority for some semi serious running is to lose the weight. I’m not heavy for a man of my age and build but I am too heavy currently for any kind of long distance running. You really do feel it.