Garda Covered Phoenix Park Home Rent for Former Commissioner During Office Term

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Garda Covered Phoenix Park Home Rent for Former Commissioner During Office Term

The former Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, enjoyed a rent-free accommodation during his tenure, located in Phoenix Park beside Dublin Zoo. The rent for this large two-storey residence, known as Spa Lodge, was covered by An Garda Síochána as part of Harris’s contract with the Department of Justice.

Key Details of the Accommodation Arrangement

An Garda Síochána paid €21,000 annually, or €1,750 per month, to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for Harris’s residence from 2018 until he left office earlier this year. The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee recently revealed that the rent was initially set at market level but was not adjusted during Harris’s time in the property. OPW chairman John Conlon acknowledged that a rent review should have occurred.

History of the Property

Spa Lodge was originally a water house designed by the British architect Decimus Burton in the mid-1800s.
Before transferring ownership to An Garda Síochána, the OPW invested approximately €400,000 in renovations.
The renovations were part of standard OPW operations and not exclusively for Harris’s arrival.

After the transfer, An Garda Síochána implemented extensive security measures to accommodate Harris’s status as a former deputy chief constable of the PSNI. Authorities deemed that additional security was necessary for him during his time as the Garda chief.

Conditions of the Appointment

The arrangement for Harris’s accommodation stemmed from a 2017 recommendation by the Policing Authority, suggesting that the prospect of employing a candidate from another country could require a provision for housing. This was vital as the Garda Commissioner must remain on-call 24/7 in Dublin.

Consequently, the Department of Justice directed the OPW to identify suitable housing, setting the rent paid by An Garda Síochána. While details of personal taxes remain confidential, it is understood that Drew Harris provided a benefit in kind for residing in this property.