GardaĆ­ facing charges linked to corruption in public office probe

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FOUR serving GardaĆ­ and a retired senior officer are facing charges in connection with a long-running Garda investigation into alleged corruption offences.

The five individuals appeared by appointment separately at a Garda station today for to be arrested and charged.

ā€œAs part of an investigation led by the Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime (OSC) into alleged corruption in public office, four members of An Garda SĆ­ochĆ”na based in the south of the country and a private citizen were arrested and charged today with offences relating to perverting the course of justice,ā€ a Garda spokesman said.

ā€œThis follows directions being received from the Director of Public Prosecutions.ā€

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ā€œAll five individuals have been released on station bail and are due to appear before Limerick District CourtĀ on the 14th May 2021.ā€

ā€œAs this investigation by GardaĆ­ attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) is ongoing, An Garda SĆ­ochĆ”na will not be commenting further,ā€ they added.

The probe, which has developed various strands, began two years ago into allegations concerning a number of individual gardaĆ­ and civilians.

Up to 100 people are being questioned as part of the investigation.

Last November, eightĀ gardaĆ­ were suspended as part of the same investigation.

This element of the investigation has focussed on alleged corruption in public office, and on claims that individual gardaĆ­ squared away potential fixed charge penalty notice prosecutions relating to a number of individuals.

Those charged today include a retired Garda Superintendent who is understood to be facing in the region of 30 charges, while the four serving gardai are understood to be facing approximately a dozen charges between them.

Last October, mobile phones and documents were seized from a number of gardaĆ­, as well as persons and players involved in sporting circles.

A number of Garda stations have also been searched as part of the probe.