cop interview Comic Sir Stevo warned he could face charges for 'garda uniform' sketch

Comedian Sir Stevo Timothy was formally interviewed by officers at his local station last night where he was told he could face charges for wearing a garda uniform in a sketch.

The Galway based comic wore a garda jacket and hat during a sketch he posted online of the character Garda Julian Murphy.

Stevo’s Galway home was raided by eight officers on Wednesday of last week after they arrived with a warrant to search for the uniform.

CCTV obtained by the Sunday World showed the search team arriving in two squad cars before entering the house.

The officers left after Stevo handed over the uniform and the comic hoped, that after answering some follow up questions, the matter would be at an end.

But gardai last night informed Stevo, as he attended his local garda station by arrangement, that he may now be charged under section under section 61.1 of the Garda Siochana Act.

“Honestly I was shocked when they said a file was going to the DPP and that I may well be charged over it,” Stevo afterwards told the Sunday World.

“They said the offence I was being investigated was for possession of a uniform contrary to section 61.

“When I arrived into the station I was taken for interview.

“I was cautioned but told that I wasn’t under arrest and could leave at any time.

“Essentially, what they are saying was that I needed to have the permission of the Garda Commissioner to wear the uniform.

“They also wanted to know where I got it.

“I told them straight out that I wasn’t at liberty to say but that it wasn’t stolen and that I hadn’t paid for it.

“It’s not even the current jacket … it’s an old one not in use any more.

“I think the most shocking thing to me about all of this is the resources that are being wasted.

“We’re in the middle of a pandemic and this has now taken up so much time it’s ridiculous.

“They have the uniform back … that should be an end to it.”

Under section 61.1 of the Garda Siochana Act, a person is guilty of an offence if he or she, not being a member of the Garda Siochana has in his or her possession any article of garda uniform and is not able satisfactorily to account for possessing it.

According to the act, a person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction in the District Court to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.

However the Act also states nothing in this section prevents the wearing of any uniform or dress in a performance in a theatre, on film or on television or other media.

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Online Editors