US policeman who shot Dubliner accused of sex abuse

A US police officer who shot and killed a 20-year-old Dubliner while responding to a burglary complaint in the Oregon community of Silverton has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a girl.

Marion County authorities say Officer Tony Gonzalez was arrested today and is being held on allegations of sexual abuse. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.

Deputy District Attorney Matt Kemmy says officers in Keizer were contacted on Saturday by a woman and her daughter, who is the alleged victim.

Mr Kemmy did not reveal the girl’s age.

Gonzalez is on administrative leave from the Silverton Police Department, pending the outcome of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Andrew Hanlon, a 20-year-old man from Dublin who was killed June 30.

Mr Kemmy said the shooting and the alleged sex abuse were not believed to be related.

Gonzalez, 35, is on administrative leave from the police department pending the outcome of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Mr Hanlon.

The district attorney’s office has released few details about its investigation into Mr Hanlon’s death, which has generated wide publicity and outrage in Ireland.

Mr Hanlon came to the US last summer and stayed illegally after his visa expired. His brother-in-law, Nathan Heise, said Mr Hanlon had been struggling with recent bouts of paranoia and delusion, but said he did not think he would have posed a threat.

His sister and brother-in-law live in Silverton, a 7,000-resident town about 45 miles south of Portland. Mr Hanlon’s family would not comment about the officer’s arrest.