Probe delay as gardaí await original ‘rape tape’

SOME of the gardaí implicated in the “rape tape” scandal have been interviewed by the State’s independent police watchdog.

But the investigation by the Garda Síochána Complaints Board (GSOC) is being delayed by the fact that the two women affected by the tape have not yet given statements to them and investigators have not been able to access the original tape of the recording from them.

At a press conference on Thursday one of the women, Jerrie Ann Sullivan, said she had very little faith in GSOC and that an international inquiry was the only option.

As in any investigation officers need to have statements from those affected and, in cases involving a recording, be able to satisfy themselves that they have examined, and listened to, the unedited original.

It is thought investigators would prefer to have these two areas covered before interviewing key gardaí involved.

Despite this, the investigation team is understood to be progressing and has already interviewed some of the five gardaí identified in an internal garda investigation into the matter.

These gardaí, including a sergeant, were in a patrol car when a conversation between them was captured, unknown to them, on a video recorder.

They had taken this recorder off two women they had earlier arrested at a Corrib gas project protest in Mayo last Thursday.

Two to three gardaí were involved in comments where they jokingly talked about raping one of the women.

The indications are that the investigation may recommend the Garda Commissioner institute disciplinary proceedings against all or some of the gardaí.

Commissioner Martin Callinan has confined the five gardaí to administrative duties and transferred four. He said the internal report had indicated that the conversation as recorded on the tape “did take place” between the gardaí and the “words reported were used”.

The Irish Council of Civil Liberties and Friends of the Earth have written to GSOC chairman, Dermot Gallagher, calling on him to widen the investigation into a “root and branch” review of Garda practices, policies and procedures on public order.

A GSOC spokesperson said: “The focus right now is to get this investigation, which is already underway, completed as swiftly as possible”. Around 100 people protested outside the Dáil at the comments.