GSOC leak inquiry was ‘fact-finding exercise’

The Garda Ombudsman yesterday said it would have referred the report of its leak inquiry to the "appropriate agency" if it had found any "definitive evidence" indicating a criminal offence.

The watchdog said the investigation into the leak was not based on any legislation — with the legal powers that that standing would provide — but was akin to a “fact-finding exercise” an employer would carry out if there was suspected misconduct by an employee.

GSOC refused to say how many people, current and former employees, were interviewed by senior counsel Mark Connaughton, saying it could lead to the “identification of individuals”.