Garda warned to drop her sex attack complaint

A second garda whistleblower was warned by the Garda confidential recipient of the consequences of pursuing claims against the force in relation to an alleged sexual assault, it was claimed in the Dáil yesterday.

According to Public Accounts Committee chairman John McGuinness, a female garda who claimed she had been a victim of sexual harassment within the force was told by the confidential recipient: “The last man who used this service is now washing cars in Navan.” Mr McGuinness said: “That is what he said. The person stands over the claim.”

The Fianna Fáil TD questioned why Oliver Connolly, the confidential recipient, was sacked before he could be asked questions including why he told the female garda: “It has gone too high now to cover it up. It has to be investigated.”