Garda sergeant accused of sexually assaulting female colleague

A Garda sergeant is being tried at Dublin District Court today on charges of sexually assaulting a female colleague.

The sergeant, who is in his 40s, cannot be identified following a court order.

The female garda said at first she got on great at the Dublin garda station, saying that the sergeant was fair but after a while he started making remarks.

"I can take a joke," she said, "but certain things he'd say would make me uncomfortable."

She claims that in the command control room on March 21, 2010, he put his arms around her waist, put his pelvis into the back of her and said that she "likes it this way."

She said she froze but said nothing because she was terrified.

The following June 4, she claims she was reading files on the nightshift when the same sergeant put his hand to her left breast and said: "wake up there", to which she replied: "I'm not asleep".

This time she did complain and she was transferred to another garda station.

Under cross examination, she earlier told the court she was happy to get away from the sergeant.