Findings to be published on GSOC report leak

The findings of an inquiry into the leaking of a top-secret Garda Ombudsman report are expected to be published next week.

The Irish Examiner understands a statement will be issued by the watchdog, but the actual inquiry report will not be made public.

The leaking of a highly sensitive document — or at least details from it — to the Sunday Times sparked an unprecedented crisis between the ombudsman and An Garda Síochána.

The article, published on February 9, also created serious tensions between GSOC and the Government, particularly then-justice minister Alan Shatter.

The newspaper report contained details from a report on a secret security sweep by British firm Verrimus, which was part of an investigation by GSOC into the suspected bugging of its offices.

Last February, GSOC chairman Simon O’Brien said “less than seven people” had access to the report and said he had set up an internal inquiry to look into it.

It is understood that more than seven people were interviewed by the senior counsel tasked by GSOC.

It is a criminal offence to leak information that would “prejudice the effectiveness” of the commission.