Inquiries into alleged Garda links with drug dealer
Depending on the results of these inquiries, the high-powered Garda watchdog will decide whether or not to set up a full “public interest” inquiry.
This followed the collapse last July of a case against convicted Louth drug dealer, Kieran Boylan, who was charged with trafficking heroin and cocaine worth €1.7 million in 2005.
It has been claimed that the case may have been withdrawn in order to avoid Boylan revealing details of his alleged involvement with individual gardaí.
It was the second time charges had been brought against Boylan in relation to the matter, and the second time they had been withdrawn. The 37-year-old was sentenced to five years in December 2005 for a separate drugs haul in Dublin Port in 2003.
It is understood that GSOC is examining the matter and checking in some detail the basic facts and information about the wider case, as far as it can.
It is thought investigators have contacted the courts service to find out what occurred. Investigators may also make contact with a Garda Assistant Commissioner who is conducting an internal Garda inquiry about aspects of the case.
GSOC has received a number of submissions from political representatives, including Louth Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan, calling for a public interest inquiry.
The Garda Síochána Act 2005 allows the commission to set up an investigation “in the public interest” without having received a complaint regarding Garda conduct.
It has set up only one such investigation — into the death of Terence Wheelock in Garda custody in September 2005.
The commission is currently investigating a specific complaint from a Louth couple regarding a garda and Boylan.
A GSOC spokesman said: “We have not opened a public interest investigation into this matter at the present time. The matter is under consideration.”
