Garda watchdog probes cover-up claims

The Garda ombudsman is investigating an allegation of a cover-up within the force in a case involving a criminal who committed murder when he was on bail for serious violent charges.

The allegation centres on how members of the gardaí dealt with charges of violence against Jerry McGrath from Dundrum, Co Tipperary, who murdered Silvia Roche Kelly, 33, in a Limerick hotel in 2007.

McGrath, 28, who is serving life for the murder, was on bail at the time on a charge of false imprisonment and assault causing harm. He was granted bail in that case, despite already being on bail for another assault charge six months earlier.