Three investigations under way into gardaí criticised in report

SEPARATE investigations have begun to examine possible disciplinary breaches or criminal wrongdoing by gardaí criticised in the Cloyne report.

Three probes are being conducted, two by An Garda Síochána. The third is being carried out by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), on foot of a request by Justice Minister Alan Shatter. The two Garda investigations will also examine whether or not clergy criticised by the Murphy commission breached criminal law.

One of the probes — led by Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne — is specifically targeting the clerical abusers and is asking victims and other members of the public with information about possible criminal matters relating to the report, to contact them.

The second — led by Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney — will examine how the Church and the gardaí handled the complaints and investigations in Cloyne.

This inquiry is an extension of a probe by Asst Comm O’Mahoney, set up after the Murphy Commission into the Dublin Archdiocese.

It has already submitted files to the Director of Public Prosecutions and charges may follow.

The GSOC will examine the conduct of all the gardaí criticised or implicated in the report — particularly in three chapters highlighted by the commission itself.

While initial indications suggest the matters may be of a disciplinary matter — such as neglect of duty for failing to carry out a proper investigation — GSOC inspectors will examine if there are any grounds for criminal investigations.

Part of the initial job in all inquiries will be to identify the gardaí involved, particularly in the three chapters. One superintendent was named, while the report said another superintendent, at a named station, was now chief superintendent.

The report gave pseudonyms in some cases, while little details are given about gardaí in other cases.

It is understood investigators may seek the identities of the gardaí from the Murphy commission or from Garda human resources.

The commission said that “most” gardaí involved in the Cloyne abuse investigations carried out their tasks “well” and treated the complainants with “compassion and dignity”.

Mr Shatter has also asked the Garda Inspectorate to review a report it has already submitted regarding Garda arrangements for dealing with child abuse allegations.

That report was submitted to the Department of Justice at the end of last year but has not yet been published. A spokeswoman for Mr Shatter it had been agreed with the inspectorate to delay publication pending the review, which should only take “a matter of weeks”.

* Asst Comm Byrne’s investigation can be contacted on 01-6663612.