A Garda who is stationed in Dublin has been arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption. The Garda who works in traffic, but is based in a South City station, is suspected of seeking money to quash proceedings in a drunk-driving case. He was arrested at midday today following an internal Garda investigation and is being questioned at Sundrive Road Garda Station.
The Garda was arrested following a surveillance operation in the car park of the Terenure House pub in Dublin. The operation was unknown to the owners of the pub. It was the culmination of an internal investigation led by Chief Superintendent Noel Smith that was set up a week ago following a complaint. A man who was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving told the Gardaí that he was being asked for money, believed to be as much as £20,000, to prevent a prosecution from proceeding. The National Surveillance unit was called in to monitor the Garda's movements.
The Garda, who is in his thirties, was arrested today under the Prevention of Corruption Act and taken to Sundrive Road Garda Station. He can be questioned for up to 12 hours under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. The Garda was immediately suspended from duty for 72 hours and it is likely that an Assistant Commissioner will extend the suspension. The Garda is married with two small children. It is believed he may be in severe financial difficulties relating to alcohol and gambling problems.
