Probe over allegation gardaí protected celebrity drug users
The Sunday Independent newspaper alleged corrupt gardaí had protected rich and public figures with drug habits, including the late RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan. In a statement, the Gardaí said the claims made against the force were based “on anonymous sources and without any apparent grounding in fact”. The statement went on to say, because of the seriousness of the claims, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has ordered an investigation.
RTÉ also issued a lengthy and strongly worded statement in response to allegations of a tolerance of drug abuse among its staff and on its premises. It pointed out that the stations own security checks indicated there is no unusual activity at RTÉ in respect of drug abuse.
“Suggestions that RTÉ is a tolerant place in respect of illegal drugs are not only unwarranted and unfounded, they are deeply unfair to RTÉ’s staff. RTÉ is one of the largest and busiest workplaces in the country, with 2,000 decent and committed staff, who have been understandably offended by the manner in which they and this organisation have been portrayed in recent days,” said the statement.
RTÉ also said it had no knowledge of the extent of Gerry Ryan’s cocaine abuse.
“RTÉ’s management had received no reports or alerts that Gerry Ryan had been taking drugs. It is true that accounts have come forward since the inquest offering a view of aspects of Gerry Ryan’s lifestyle in the recent or the more distant past which have shocked some of those closest to him.
“Gerry Ryan has paid the highest price for whatever level of drug use he may have undertaken. While the comment and allegations made about him in recent days cannot now be answered by him, for many RTÉ colleagues and for RTÉ management the shock of his passing and of its circumstances remains.”
