GARDAI are investigating allegations that a senior GSOC investigator attended a party with Gerry Hutch.
It’s the first time the force has been required to investigate the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission, whose function is to investigate potential garda misconduct.
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Detectives are expected to interview the investigator who quit GSOC last week.
The inquiry began after GSOC formally asked Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to investigate the matter.
GSOC has been conducting its own internal investigation after it emerged that one of its senior investigators said he had attended a party with The Monk following his acquittal last Monday of the murder of cartel thug David Byrne.
The GSOC investigator was allegedly renting accommodation from a relative of Hutch and ended up at the gathering celebrating the gang boss’s release.
GSOC said in a statement: “When GSOC became aware last week of a potential conflict of interest involving a member of our staff, we immediately removed that member’s access to our systems and commenced an initial internal investigation.
“The staff member in question resigned shortly thereafter. GSOC engaged at a senior level with the Department of Justice and An Garda Siochana and continues to do so.
“We took these steps promptly in response to the disclosure of a potential conflict of interest so as to preserve the integrity of our systems and facilitate proper investigation of all matters relating to this.
“It is not GSOC’s policy to investigate itself and we see independent investigation as integral to proper oversight, due process and fairness.”
Minister for Justice Simon Harris referred the matter to the gardai. He said in a statement: “The Minister believes this is the appropriate course of action to ensure that public confidence is maintained in GSOC”
Meanwhile, gardai say they are suffering from post traumatic stress due to bullying in the force. The claims were made on the eve of the GRA’s conference in Westport, Co Mayo.
GRA Assistant General Secretary Tara McManus said: “A lot of people I have spoken to have told me they are working in toxic environments.”
