Garda ombudsman slams 'misleading' coverage of sergeant's death

The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission said much of the commentary around the death of Sergeant Michael Galvin has been misleading, inaccurate and inflammatory.

The Minister for Justice announced a Judicial Inquiry into the death at Ballyshannon Garda Station last week. That inquiry will now replace the planned GSOC investigation into the incident.

The father of three had been the subject of an investigation by GSOC, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.

However, it is reported he was unaware that he had been cleared at the time of his death.

General Secretary of the AGSI John Redmond said the case could damage public confidence.

"We have crossed swords with GSOC on many occasions - that isn't what this inquiry is about," he said.

He said the inquiry was, instead, about uncovering the circumstances surrounding the death of Michael Galvin.