A man has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the attendance of a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) investigator at a party to celebrate Gerard Hutch's acquittal of murder.
The man was arrested by detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin this morning on suspicion of disclosing information.
The man, who is in his 60s, can be questioned for up to twenty four hours. His home has also been searched.
Minister for Justice Simon Harris has said he is aware of the development in the investigation.
This investigation has moved at a rapid pace since it was established last Monday on foot of a request by GSOC to the Garda Commissioner.
A team of detectives from the NBCI was set up to investigate the attendance by one of GSOC's experienced investigators at a party which was also attended by Gerard Hutch.
The party was organised to celebrate Hutch’s acquittal of the murder of David Byrne and his release from custody after 20 months in prison on remand.
The investigator served as a police officer in another country outside Europe before joining GSOC and coming to Dublin.
He rented a room in a house near where a relative of Gerard Hutch was living. He resigned from his position at GSOC when informed he was to be suspended.
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Gardaí first interviewed the former GSOC investigator earlier this week and he confirmed he had attended the party at a house in Dublin last Monday week.
The NBCI also examined the GSOC investigator’s computer files, his official GSOC phone and previous cases he has worked on for GSOC as part of the garda inquiry.
GSOC withdrew his access to its systems and is co-operating with the garda investigation.
The man was arrested on suspicion of an offence contrary to Section 81, Garda Síochána Act 2005.
This states that "a person who is or was a member or officer of the Ombudsman Commission or who is or was engaged under contract or other arrangement by the Commission shall not disclose, in or outside the State, information obtained in carrying out the duties of that person's office or of his or her contract or other arrangement".
The man is being held at a Dublin garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Minister Harris confirmed he has been informed of the arrest but says he cannot comment on details of a live investigation.
However he also said that this development shows the appropriateness of the decision to ask the gardaí to investigate this matter and that whenever there is a suspicion of criminality, the gardaí are the appropriate authority to investigate.
