Why Jennifer O’Connell says zero tolerance disappears when domestic abusers wear a badge

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by The Irish Times, click this post to read the original article.

When you hear the phrase “zero tolerance,” especially from the Gardaí, it might sound like a strong commitment to tackling domestic abuse. It’s a bold promise that suggests no leniency will be shown toward perpetrators. However, the lived experiences of individuals like Margaret Loftus tell a different story—one where that zero-tolerance claim often breaks down when the accused is a fellow Garda member. Her case, involving long delays and institutional resistance, reveals a troubling gap between policy and practice.

Margaret Loftus, herself a Garda, endured not only domestic violence but also an uphill battle seeking justice against her ex-husband, Trevor Bolger, who remains part of the Garda force. When she initially reported his abuse, her concerns were dismissed by people in authority. It wasn’t until years later, after compiling her own case file and reaching out directly to Garda leadership, that real progress was made. Her wait for action included 58 court hearings over six years, showcasing just how slow and difficult the process can be—even for someone inside the system.

What sets Loftus’s story apart is not just the abuse, which sadly mirrors many similar cases, but the institutional response. Instead of offering support, the Gardaí promoted Bolger and denied Loftus’s transfer requests. Investigations only began in earnest when her story gained media attention. The system moved swiftly to protect its own, while Loftus faced silence and red tape. This highlights a serious issue: “zero tolerance” seems to apply selectively, especially when the accused is within the law enforcement ranks.

Even broader public surveys support this mismatch between official policy and real-world experience. A 2025 Women’s Aid survey showed that nearly half of women dissatisfied with Garda responses to domestic abuse, a figure only slightly improved from a prior Inspectorate report. Bolger eventually received a fully suspended three-month sentence after pleading guilty to a lesser offence, a resolution that left Loftus and many others questioning the integrity of Garda procedures.

The term “zero tolerance” may look good on paper, but real cases like Loftus’s suggest it falls drastically short in practice. If someone with insider knowledge has to fight this hard for justice, it raises serious concerns about the prospects for others. To mean anything at all, zero tolerance must be more than a bold phrase—it must be backed by action, consistency, and accountability within the Gardaí and across the justice system.