Garda chiefs: Jokes not indicative of force

THREE garda staff associations have said the behaviour of three gardaí under investigation for allegedly making jokes about raping women was not indicative of the attitude of the force.

An internal garda investigation has already interviewed the gardaí who allegedly made the jokes and a report is expected to be with the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan as early as next week.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Superintendents (AGS) yesterday, association president Superintendent James Smith said: “The Association of Garda Superintendents would not condone what has happened. My experience and the experience of the vast majority of all the garda superintendents is that this is not reflective of what generally would take place within the organisation.