Force slammed for withholding evidence

The Garda Ombudsman has said it has “grave concerns” regarding the operation of the Garda informant system, in the past and currently.

After a protracted four-year investigation into allegations that members of the force colluded with convicted drug dealer, Kieran Boylan, in the supply of drugs, the watchdog slammed An Garda Síochána for “withholding evidence and information”.

And in a startling accusation, they said senior gardaí knew about the relationship between certain detectives in a specialist unit and Boylan, who was run “off book” — outside the registered informant system.