Specialist unit created to investigate domestic and sexual abuse complaints against gardaí

New Fiosrú unit will investigate complaints of domestic violence, coercive control and sexual abuse involving Garda members

It is understood that the unit was put in place by Fiosrú following the guilty plea last year by Garda Trevor Bolger (pictured) for the 2012 assault of his then wife, Margaret Loftus. File photo: Collins Courts

A specialist unit has been set up within the office of the garda ombudsman to handle complaints of domestic and sexual abuse by gardaí.

The ombudsman office, Fiosrú, said a “specialist services unit” was established to investigate incidents, including public complaints, where a garda is accused of domestic violence, coercive control, abuse of power for sexual purposes, child sexual abuse or sexual assault.