Award-winning garda and former county footballer suspended from duty after alleged hit-and-run

Darragh Mc Donagh

An award-winning garda and former county footballer has been suspended from duty following an alleged hit-and-run incident in Galway on St Patrick’s Day.

Garda Peadar Óg Ó Gríofa, 33, with an address at Harristown, Dean Hill Road, Navan, Co Meath, appeared before Derrynea District Court in Galway last week, facing five summonses in connection with the alleged incident.

One relates to dangerous driving, while others relate to a hit-and-run collision, specifically failure to give appropriate information, failure to remain at the scene, failure to stop, and failure to report an occurrence of damage to another vehicle.

A grey Toyota Yaris is alleged to have been damaged in the incident, which occurred at Annaghvaan, Lettermore, Co Galway on March 17th, 2025.

Mr Ó Gríofa played football for his local club in Indreabhán, Micheál Breathnach, as well as NUI Galway, before lining out for his county in 2015. He showed huge promise as a forward, but injury hampered his playing career.

He became a member of An Garda Síochána in 2016 and was presented with the Gary Sheehan Memorial Medal by then-justice minister Frances Fitzgerald. The award is given to the best all-round probationer garda.

Mr Ó Gríofa was attached to Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin.

He appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon at Derrynea District Court on November 25th, represented by barrister Ernie Whyte, who is a former Garda inspector. The case is being prosecuted by state solicitor, Rachel Joyce.

Ms Justice Lydon adjourned the case until next month.

Asked about the case, a spokeswoman for An Garda Síochána declined to comment on matters that remain before the courts, but confirmed that a member from the Dublin Region had been suspended.

“An Garda Síochána does not comment on internal disciplinary matters,” she said.

Mr Ó Gríofa was regarded as a major prospect at underage level, breaking into the Galway minor side in 2009 and claiming an All Ireland winner’s medal with the U21s in 2013.

He played for his county at senior level between 2015 and 2018, but his career was hampered and cut short by a number of cruciate knee ligament injuries.