The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has criticised a move to charge an on-duty garda in connection with a fatal collision.
A dispute broke out earlier today between the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's (GSOC) after it emerged that the garda was to be charged in connection with a fatal collision in which three men died.
The three men who were members of a travelling burglary gang died after they crashed into a truck while driving the wrong way down the N7 two years ago.
Dean Maguire, Carl Freeman and Graham Taylor died when the BMW they were in caught fire after they drove down the N7 the wrong way and crashed into a truck.
A GSOC officer told their inquest yesterday that a garda was to be charged but it emerged that the garda had not been told the offence or offences he was to be charged with and had not been summonsed.
Today the AGSI described this as "scandalous".
General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said that "once again" a garda had been "subject to a protracted GSOC process", only to "find out in a public domain that he is to face charges".
The association is calling for a complete overhaul of GSOC and how it operates.
However, in a statement this afternoon, GSOC said the garda in question was informed by his legal representative of the DPP's intention to prefer charges before the coroner’s court hearing took place.
It said the matter outstanding is that of the formal summons, which has yet to be issued and because this is a matter not for GSOC, but for the DPP/State Solicitor, it limited GSOC’s ability to elaborate yesterday.
The GSOC officer told the coroner's court yesterday that he expected to be able to outline the detail of the charges to the coroner and the bereaved families in two weeks.
In a statement this afternoon, the GRA said: "The news that any member would face the threat of criminal charges for any actions while carrying out their duty for the protection of the public has come as a shock and is extremely concerning for our members.
"However, as we do no know the details or context of any possible charges, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time except to say that the association will be providing any assistance and supports we can to our colleague at this time."
