Gardaí probe 'embarrassing' break-in

Gardaí were today investigating what has been described as an embarrassing security breach at a building adjoining one of its most sensitive operational centres.

A break-in took place shortly after 12.30am at an office on Harcourt Street housing the administrative wing of Dublin area Assistant Garda Commissioner Al McHugh.

A small fire was started in the building adjoining the high-security Harcourt Square garda complex, home to the elite National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) and Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

Fine Gael and Labour expressed concern at the incident, during which items of uniform and a number of personal effects were stolen.

“It is disturbing that a break-in should take place in an area of some security,” said Fine Gael’s Justice Spokesman Charlie Flanagan.

“I would hope that the matter could be investigated and reasons put forward as to how this could happen.”

His Labour Party counterpart Pat Rabbitte said the matter was an embarrassing breach of security.

“For a break-in to have taken place, given the importance of Harcourt Street, you would have to conclude that it was very deliberate and calculated and obviously for some nefarious purpose.

“It’s a serious matter and I look forward to what the garda authorities have to say in due course. It is embarrassing,” he said.

Officers were alerted to the break-in, described by gardaí as opportunistic, after attempts to start a small fire in the hallway of the building triggered the smoke alarm.

A garda spokesman said items of uniform, including shirts, were stolen along with some personal effects.

The area was sealed off by a forensic team while officers from Pearse Street garda station launched an investigation.

No details about the number of suspects or descriptions have been released but gardaí said they are scanning CCTV footage.

“They [investigating officers] have a few lines of inquiry at the moment which they are following up,” a garda spokesman said.

The building houses the administrative office of Asst Comm McHugh, who is in charge of the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

It is the second security breach at the Harcourt complex in under two years.

In April 2006 two men appeared before the courts charged in connection with an attempted break-in at the offices of the NBCI’s anti-gangs unit at Harcourt Square.

Meanwhile, Gardaí in Pearse Street have asked anyone who was in the Harcourt Street area between midnight and 1am who might have information on this latest incident to come forward.