‘No evidence of Garda misconduct’ in death of man (66)

The Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) has said it is satisfied that there was no evidence of Garda misconduct after a Co Galway incident in which a man died and two gardaí were injured.

The incident occurred about 2km north of Ardrahan on the Galway-Limerick road at about 12.30am on Monday.

A 66-year-old resident of a nursing home in Labane, near Ardrahan, had been reported missing, and a Garda patrol car had spotted a man walking along the road and stopped to assist him.

A car approaching on a sweeping bend is reported to have struck the stationary patrol car and all three men – two of them being gardaí stationed in Gort.

The 66-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to University Hospital Galway (UHG).

The two injured gardaí were also taken to UHG, where they are being treated for broken limbs.

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene and taken to Gort Garda Station for questioning. He was later released.

The N18 was closed between Ardrahan and Kilcolgan for examinations by Gsoc and by a Garda forensic team and members of the traffic corps.

The incident had been referred to Gsoc under section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for an independent investigation to establish the facts when it appears that "the conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána may

have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person”.

“Gsoc investigators attended the scene and conducted an examination,” it said in a later statement.

“Gsoc is satisfied at this point that there is no evidence of Garda misconduct contributing to the incident.”

The Little Flowers Nursing Home, where the 66-year-old man had been staying, was unavailable for comment.

Gardaí have appealed to witnesses to contact Gort Garda Station on tel (091) 636400, the Garda confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.