Ombudsman accused of putting evidence at risk

THE Garda Ombudsman Commission has been accused of potentially contaminating vital evidence that was to be used in connection with a number of crime investigations in Limerick.

The accusation was made yesterday by the president-elect of the GRA, Michael O’Boyce. He claimed that as part of a GSOC investigation, its officers had “rooted through” the personal lockers of gardaí and seized all their contents, including vital evidence.

Although he refused to reveal the cases, Mr O’Boyce claimed that this could damage investigations into serious crimes in the city by either “contaminating,” or “compromising” a chain of evidence.