A Garda Inspector has been found innocent of sexual assault and harassment allegations which had been made by the wife of a Limerick City councillor.
Majella Kelly of Ballyneety had alleged that Inspector Jim Browne had sexually assaulted her by touching her left breast while interviewing her at Roxbora Garda station on 27 August last year. The wife of Alderman Michael Kelly had also alleged that he had harassed her through persistent phone calls.
The allegations arose when Inspector Browne was investigating a complaint by Mrs Kelly that she had been beaten by her husband last August.
After three days of hearing evidence at Limerick District Court, Judge Peter Smithwick described the allegations by Mrs Kelly as part of an "evil conspiracy" by the Kelly family to denigrate the force, in particular Inspector Jim Browne.
Judge Smithwick said that he could find nothing to suggest that Inspector Browne did anything wrong, and the evidence shows he did his duty as a police officer. Dismissing all charges, he said that he did not believe Mrs Kelly when she said that the sexual assault had occurred.
Speaking afterwards, Inspector Browne said that Alderman Kelly and his family had failed in their attempt to destroy his good name and his career. He said that the rule of law would be upheld in the city, and that Gardaí would not be intimidated.
