Report due on alleged collusion between gardaí and convicted drug trafficker

The report of a high-level independent investigation into allegations of collusion between gardaí and a convicted drugs trafficker is expected to be published shortly.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is expected to publish the report within weeks of receiving official notification from the DPP of the decision not to bring charges.

It emerged unofficially that the DPP’s office is not going to direct prosecutions in the so-called Kieran Boylan investigation. It is expected to inform GSOC formally soon.

Boylan, who ran a transport company, was twice charged in relation to the seizure, in Oct 2005, of €1.7m worth of drugs. In both instances, the charges were subsequently dropped in court by the DPP.

Boylan also twice secured an international haulage licence — the second in 2008 — from the Department of Transport. This was despite his conviction in 2006 for handling €750,000 worth of heroin and cocaine at Dublin Port in 2003.

Central to the GSOC probe was the nature of relationships between Boylan and gardaí.

This included whether or not Boylan was an informant, if he was formally registered as such, and whether he was allowed to continue to traffic drugs for his own benefit.

The team also probed the level of knowledge at senior garda level regarding Boylan.

The inquiry, which lasted four years, is the most thorough and complex — as well as the most sensitive — investigation conducted by the watchdog to date.

It is understood GSOC will publish its report regardless of whether or not Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan decides to take disciplinary proceedings against any member of the force.

The Garda watchdog is likely to send a file to the commissioner recommending disciplinary proceedings be taken once the DPP announces its decision.