Cork garda suspended amid probe into false allegations against other members of force

The man was arrested this morning and was taken to Cahir Garda Station. File picture

A garda in Cork has been suspended from duty after being arrested as part of a criminal investigation into the alleged making of false statements about other members of the force.

The young garda has been released from custody after being arrested this morning. A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The member was questioned by investigating officers based in the Tipperary Garda Division.

It is understood those officers were investigating letters that were sent anonymously to various senior gardaí as well as to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission over a period of time.

It is thought the letters made allegations against other members of the organisation.

An investigation was set up into the matter, culminating this morning with the arrest of a serving garda at his home in Cork.

The garda was arrested on suspicion of committing offences contrary to Section 12 of the Criminal Law Act 1976.

This provision relates to a person knowingly making a false report or statement tending to show that an offence has been carried out or tending to give rise to apprehension for the safety of people or property.

The offence also covers false reports that result in the wasteful use of garda resources in investigating them. 

In situations where a prosecution is brought and a defendant is found guilty, the maximum sanctions in the district court are a €635 fine or up to 12 months in prison.

Convictions on indictment, before the circuit court, can attract a term not exceeding five years.

In a statement, the Garda Press Office said: “A male in his 20s (a member of An Garda Síochána) has been arrested on suspicion of alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Law Act 1976.

“The male was detained under section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Tipperary Division.”

It went on to say that the male has since been released without charge.

“A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the statement said. 

“He has been suspended from duty as a member of An Garda Síochána.”