Corruption alleged in Kerry Garda station

A large-scale internal investigation is under way at Killarney Garda Station following an allegation of alleged corruption.

The complaint is about alleged approaches to local gardaí by a man who operates a business in the town.

The suggestion has been made by a serving garda who is being referred to as “a whistleblower” by some colleagues at the busy station in New Road .

He has complained that a colleague or colleagues were being offered gifts which could be seen as bribes by the owner of a licensed premises.

The allegation is being treated seriously by Garda management at the station. A garda inspector, who is not based in Killarney, has been appointed to look into matters.

Between 50 and 60 gardaí in Killarney across all ranks, from garda to sergeant, are being interviewed at the station.

One of the questions put to them is “have you been offered a voucher?”

As with other stations, Killarney has experienced a large number of retirements across all ranks in recent years. However, retired gardaí may also be called in for interview and asked if they have any information about any such incident in the past.

It is understood that the allegation, which relates to specified incident or incidents during the past summer, was made by a garda about colleagues in a unit to which he was attached on the occasions.

The inquiry, however, is being extended to all units.

The garda press office said it does not comment on internal investigations.

In recent years, alone, Killarney gardaí have headed up or been involved in a number of high profile and very serious criminal investigations prosecuted successfully in the Central Criminal Court.