Wicklow garda on trial accused of forging DPP letter

A Wicklow garda has gone on trial accused of forging a letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the investigation of a priest accused of sexual abuse.

Garda Catherine McGowan who is based at Bray Garda Station, has pleaded not guilty to one count of forgery on January 15, 2009 and to two counts of using a false instrument in June 2011.

Garda Catherine McGowan is alleged to have forged a letter from the DPP in order to “hoodwink” gardaí who were reviewing whether she had acted properly in investigating allegations of sexual abuse by a priest of a teenage girl.

The prosecution claims the allegedly "bogus document", directed that a prosecution of the priest would be “impossible” because of “conjecture” in the alleged victim’s statement.

The court heard the priest in question was mentioned in the Murphy Report into clerical sexual abuse in the Dublin area.

The jury also heard there will be evidence that Gda McGowan never sent a file on the case to anyone including the DPP, Chief State Solicitor or her superintendent.

The trial is due to last two weeks.