GARDA authorities have rejected suggestions that they alerted the media about a visit by detectives to a Dublin solicitor's office this month.
Garda Headquarters was responding to the Law Society which has condemned the media tip-off in a letter to the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne.
Detectives who visited the offices of Michael E. Hanahoe and Co, solicitors, took away files relating to property and the conveyancing business of two clients. Press photographers were outside the building during the visit.
A Garda spokesman said yesterday that a member of the law firm had suggested the Garda had authorised a tip-off through the Garda Press Office.
"These specific allegations were without foundation and therefore incorrect," he said. "The Garda authorities did not sanction the release of information and have nothing on hand to indicate that the information came from within the Garda Siochana."
He said the Garda was also surprised and disappointed that the media was tipped off, and from our point of view the appearance of the media on the occasion did nothing to enhance the investigation".