Alleged indecent assault by garda is investigated

A GARDA serving at Garda Headquarters in Dublin is under investigation for the alleged indecent assault of a young man in west…

A GARDA serving at Garda Headquarters in Dublin is under investigation for the alleged indecent assault of a young man in west Dublin earlier this month.

A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions about the allegation, the second of its type within months in the Garda Siochana.

The other case under investigation is in Cork and also concerns allegations by a 17 year old youth that he was sexually assaulted by a garda who had arrested him on a minor drugs charge.

The Dublin case concerns allegations that a young man who had been drinking in a public house in Blanchardstown hailed a car which he thought was a taxi. "The young man alleges that the driver pulled off the road in the Castleknock area and carried out an indecent assault".

READ MORE

It is understood this alleged incident is at least the second allegation of a similar nature against the officer. The other incident, also involving allegations by a young man who was given a lift in a car in the west Dublin area, was investigated but did not result in a prosecution.

After the latest alleged incident, the youth was able to describe the car and is believed to have identified the officer in a line up.

Meanwhile, senior Garda sources say they do not believe the force has a serious corruption problem.

A senior officer has been appointed to examine allegations of corruption in Cork made by an officer who is, himself, the subject of allegations.

At least two officers are under investigation arising from allegations by criminals questioned during the investigation in the murder of the journalist, Veronica Guerin.

However, gardai said the officers were not regarded as having any serious criminal connections.