Photograph: Stephen Collins/CollinsFormer Garda commissioner Drew Harris did not have to pay rent on his home in the Phoenix Park during his term of office. The Garda paid €21,000 a year, or €1,750 a month, to the Office of Public Works (OPW), for use of the property between 2018 and earlier this year, when Mr Harris left office. Mr Conlon said the renovation work was part of the OPW’s normal programme of works and not in preparation for Mr Harris. It said the OPW set the rent for the property, which was paid by An Garda Síochána. “While personal tax details are confidential, it is understood that the former Commissioner paid benefit in kind in respect of this arrangement,” the spokesman said.
