‘Co-operation’ given in penalty points probe

The Garda Ombudsman said it “does not anticipate difficulties” in its high-profile investigation into the penalty point controversy.

The Ombudsman confirmed to the Irish Examiner that it has negotiated with the Garda Commissioner access to the Garda Pulse system and that technical issues were being worked on “co-operatively”.

It is the first statement from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission regarding its working relationship with the Garda Commissioner since the GSOC bugging affair.

The public breakdown in their relationship during that crisis had raised concerns as to the future functioning of GSOC, particularly regarding its sensitive investigation into penalty points.

At the time, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said that the leaking to a newspaper of a secret GSOC report into the suspected bugging was akin to “the pigeon coming home to roost”.

He raised concerns regarding GSOC’s ability to protect “highly sensitive personal details” of gardaí — the kind GSOC had demanded access to previously.

This was a reference back to his concerns in handing over sensitive intelligence relating to GSOC’s investigation into alleged collusion between Garda members and informant Kieran Boylan, a convicted drug trafficker.

“I think the pigeon has come home to roost to a certain degree here,” the commissioner said.

He indicated this would be an issue now. But it was unclear if it would affect the penalty points investigation.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter requested GSOC to examine the issue and authorised it to have direct access to the Garda PULSE system.

The minister said protocols between the commissioner and GSOC chairman Simon O’Brien would be amended to allow access and put the “necessary technical infrastructure and training required” in place.

A GSOC spokeswoman said amendments to the protocols were not required and that associated operational procedures “have now allowed for GSOC to have direct access to PULSE”.

She said arrangements to put in place the technical infrastructure and training were “ongoing”.

She added: “The technical issues are being actively worked on co-operatively by both sides and the investigation does not anticipate difficulties.”

The GSOC inquiry is the final investigation into the penalty points saga and follows this week’s damning report by the Garda Inspectorate.

The GSOC investigation is looking at allegations regarding abuses of the fines system, made by whistle-blower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

Other allegations made by the sergeant are being examined by Sean Guerin SC.