Now this is a story we didn't expect to see today.
An off-duty member of the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit has handed back his medal for completing the 2022 Dublin Marathon after he was accused of taking the Luas for a portion of the race.
The Irish Independent are reporting that an investigation was launched after a member of the force was alleged to have used public transport during the course of the run. Garda Headquarters is said to be carrying out a "fact-finding review" into the matter.
A Garda spokesperson said:
An Garda Síochána does not comment on rumours circulating on social media.
An Garda Síochána is aware of a matter at the recent Dublin City Centre marathon involving an off-duty Garda. An Garda Síochána is currently conducting a fact finding review of the matter.
30 October 2022; Participants compete in the 2022 Irish Life Dublin Marathon. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Garda caught taking Luas during Dublin Marathon
The individual in question's finishing time was among the top 6% of all participants in the race. However, there was something odd about their registered numbers.
Having completed the first half of the 26-mile course in an average time of ten minutes per mile, this would drop to six minutes per mile for the latter half.
Their time has since been removed from official records.
A spokesperson for the Dublin Marathon organisers said that an investigation has been completed into the matter and the runner in question has handed back their finishing medal and t-shirt:
The investigation is now completed.
The individual has apologised and returned their finishing medal and T-shirt. Their official result has also been removed.
This reads like something from an episode of Mr Bean and wouldn't have been out of place in the 1904 Olympic men's marathon. On that occasion the initial winner ran the first nine miles, only to then get a lift in a passing car for the next ten.
Definitely one of the stranger stories you are likely to see.
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