Gsoc currently investigating two cases of theft from Garda stations, PAC told 

An investigation over €350 was conducted by Gsoc, which resulted in the DPP directing no prosecution. A discipline investigation resulted in "advice" to the member and the money remains outstanding. File picture: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

Two cases of theft from Garda stations are being investigated by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc), the force has told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Gardaí in December told the PAC it had to launch 41 investigations into cash, taken as evidence, which has gone missing over the last five years.

However, in follow up correspondence to the committee, seen by the Irish Examiner, An Garda Síochána said this figure was wrong and the true number of investigations was 13.

The letter said the Deputy Commissioner for Policing Operations Shawna Coxon had said: "Duplications were also included through human error in the information previously furnished. Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations is now satisfied that there are in fact 13 allegations/incidents of money going missing from Garda stations in the period of 2020-2025."

There are three ongoing investigations in relation to these matters, the letter says, adding two are subject to investigations by Fiosrú worth €595 and €2,000, and one ongoing investigation is being conducted by internal affairs within An Garda Siochána worth €350.

The letter said one investigation, related to €1,100, resulted in criminal proceedings against a member of An Garda Siochána and that person is no longer a member of the force. Another investigation over €350 was conducted by Gsoc, which resulted in the DPP directing no prosecution. A discipline investigation resulted in "advice" to the member and the money remains outstanding.

Another discipline investigation conducted by internal affairs regarding €3,630 being incorrectly stored resulted in the member receiving advice, while another investigation related to a sum of €400 seized during a domestic incident and was returned to the owner.

In one case, an investigation by Gsoc resulted in disciplinary proceedings against a member for incorrectly storing €12,800 in cash because the money was stored outside of the Property Exhibit Management System (PEMS) Policy, but retained as a labelled exhibit by the garda.

Five investigations led to no action including two related to money which was not missing, but was not lodged to PEMS in compliance with policy. One of those cases was around €60 in cash, while the other was €1,200.

In another case, €125 was not recovered having been incorrectly stored while another related to €5,950 in which the allegation was disproven by Fiosrú and withdrawn by the complainant.

One related to an administration error where money was miscounted.

An Garda Síochána said that no criminal prosecution relating to the money was negatively affected.

Miscounted cases

The letter also provided a breakdown of the 28 other cases which had been counted in December, five of which are ongoing investigations by Fiosrú relating to property or cash allegedly going missing during searches outside of garda stations. The property and cash was not seized or held at a garda station.

Some 13 related to cash or property that was not retained as exhibits in garda stations. These included incidents of stop and search, searches of properties under warrant, searches of vehicles and "accordingly are not relevant to cash stored in garda stations".

• Paul Hosford is Acting Political Editor.