The Garda Commissioner was being driven in line with “normal procedures” when a PSNI jeep carrying him ploughed into security bollards at Garda HQ, it is claimed.
Sunken defences at the entrance to the Phoenix Park base were activated by an officer, writing off the unmarked PSNI vehicle bringing the top cop back from a trip to Northern Ireland.
We revealed yesterday how the bomb-proof jeep was flung into the air during the embarrassing fiasco.
It is understood the incident in March is being blamed on a malfunction of new security structures.
But we revealed that a Garda physically pressed the emergency button when she didn’t recognise the unmarked black jeep trying to enter the compound.
The incident raised questions as to why the Commissioner, a former high-ranking PSNI officer, was being driven from the border to Dublin by close protection officers from Northern Ireland.
Yesterday, the PSNI and Garda moved to make clear the transport arrangement was standard.
In near identical statements, the two police services said they were both satisfied that normal procedure was followed.
A PSNI spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on operational matters.
“However, where PSNI and An Garda Siochana carry out any operational activity in either jurisdiction it is within the law and with full permission and knowledge of the host service.”
A Garda spokeswoman added: “Both An Garda Siochana and PSNI are content normal procedure was followed.”
Mr Harris is a former deputy chief constable of the PSNI.
The commissioner, who was appointed to head up the Garda last year, is still a regular traveller north of the border.
Sinn Fein calls for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to explain jeep crash
