There was a need to “get under the bonnet” and to understand the pattern of what happened and to address the failings of the service. This was necessary, so confidence could be re-established in the service.

When the boy reappeared safely, she looked out the front of the house and saw a man stumbling around. She called 999 and Gardaí arrived at the scene where they found the shotgun, a Halloween mask, a trail of blood and a car key.The key was for a car parked around the corner which was registered to Byrne's then partner. Gardaí later questioned this woman, who told them Byrne was using the car on the night.

Gardaí went to Byrne's home at Donomore Crescent in Jobstown, Tallaght, and his mother told them he was missing. A few weeks later, he walked into Tallaght Garda station.Advertisement'Utterly implausible'In a prepared statement, Byrne told Gardaí he found the gun and had it for the purpose of harming himself.He said he had a row with his partner prior to the incident and came up with the plan to shoot himself in the head in a field behind Cushlawn. Byrne subsequently pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm.

Judge Melanie Greally said Byrne's explanation was “a most bizarre and inventive and utterly implausible account of what he was doing”.She said she accepted submissions from his defending lawyers that Byrne had a history of alcohol abuse and depression, but said his actions on the night were “not consistent with a suicide attempt”.

AdvertisementKathleen Leader SC, defending, told the court her client has a history of cocaine and alcohol addiction. Byrne has no previous convictions.

Video news Video: Irish sanctions for Russia, Gardaí continue... Read More Noting evidence of damage to the building close to the upstairs window, Judge Greally said Byrne's actions exposed a young family to significant danger.AdvertisementIn 2017, he was informed by an Assistant Garda Commissioner that he was being stood down from the role, that a competition would be taking place to regularise the position, and that he would have to reapply for the job he obtained six years previously.

He claimed the decision to remove him from a role he had already been appointed to, and the failure to regularise his position, amounted to a breach of the terms of his contract of employment.In proceedings against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, Ireland and the Attorney General the detective sought various reliefs from the court, including declarations that he was validly appointed to the role.

AdvertisementOn Wednesday when the case came before Mr Justice Senan Allen he was informed the dispute had resolved on terms.With the consent of all the parties the court made declarations that the detective was validly appointed to his role as Regional Safety Officer for National Support Services (Special Crime Operations) in February 2011.