GSOC ‘mistaken’ to probe garda who later killed himself

A judicial inquiry has found that the initial decision by the Garda Ombudsman to launch a criminal investigation into Sergeant Michael Galvin, who subsequently took his own life, was “mistaken”.

The inquiry also said it was “quite extraordinary” that Sgt Galvin and two other members of the force were not made aware they were under criminal investigation for three months — and that it was “wrong” that they were required to submit statements without knowing this.

The inquiry by Mr Justice Frank Clarke said the decision by GSOC officers to launch a criminal investigation was made just 30 minutes after being informed of a road traffic death.