CLAIMS that a Garda shredded a witness statement in a murder case, in order to protect an informant, are still under active investigation, despite the fact that the Garda has since retired from the force.
Retired officers cannot be subject to internal disciplinary procedures but informed sources said a complaint made against the former officer is being actively investigated by Gardaí, as well as the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
A relative of the murder victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said they were “shocked” at the allegations and have asked for them to be fully investigated.
The former Garda has been the subject of internal disciplinary procedures related to allegations that they interfered with a murder investigation and perverted the course of justice while serving as a member of An Garda Siochana.
The ongoing investigation is also focusing on claims that a second Garda was privy to the shredding of the murder witness statement.
In 2017, GSOC informed the murder victim’s family that a complaint against the former officer was admissible and should be treated as a criminal investigation.
In a fresh response to questions by this reporter, a GSOC spokesman replied: “This investigation is ongoing and GSOC would be making no comment at this time as a result”.
When asked if ex-gardai can still be the subject of GSOC criminal investigations, the GSOC spokesman replied: “If the alleged offence was committed while the garda was still a serving member, a criminal investigation would be conducted by GSOC under Section 98 of the Garda Síochána Act.“
A spokesperson for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris previously told the victim’s family that the matters raised in the complaint were “receiving attention”.
The victim’s family have long sought a meeting with the Commissioner but they have yet to receive a reply.
Separately, a “peer review” of the original murder investigation that was established by a Chief Superintendent, is ongoing.
A Garda spokeswoman replied: “An Garda Siochana does not comment on the outcome of disciplinary investigations, and does not comment on retired members of an Garda Siochana”.
The murder investigation itself “remains an active investigation and has been subject to a number of reviews which examined all aspects of the investigation, and over the years, a number of arrests have been made as part of the investigation”, she said.
Gardaí have made several appeals for information about the murder.
The claims against the former Garda remain allegations which are unproven.
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