Published: Wednesday, 31st December, 2008 12:05pm

Bailieboro Gardaí in malpractice inquiry

Investigation ongoing by Chief Superintendent

Alleged malpractice by members of the Garda Siochána in the Bailieboro District of the Cavan/Monaghan Division is the focus of a major internal garda inquiry since last April, it has emerged. Two officers are understood to have been transferred amid allegations that they were bullied by some fellow gardaí when they attempted expose incidents of malpractice. One is a female officer who gained the top marks in all her exams and the other is a more senior officer, both of whom were described as 'exemplary officers' by a well placed Garda source this week. It appears that the female officer threatened to resign at one stage and eventually accepted a transfer after being on sick leave for a time.

The Bailieboro Garda District covers the areas of Bailieboro, Ballyjamesduff, Cootehill, Kingscourt, Mullagh, Shercock, Tullyvin and Virginia. When contacted this week, the Garda Press Office would neither confirm nor deny that the investigation is ongoing. A spokesperson said: 'This office does not comment on internal disciplinary matters.'

However, senior Garda sources told The Anglo-Celt that some of the alleged malpractice incidents are very 'disturbing' with some young gardaí said to be 'out of control'. Despite the allegations, nobody has faced disciplinary action to date. Our source stressed that many of the gardaí in the Bailieboro District are 'brilliant' and the allegations being investigated only relate to some members.

The internal inquiry into the alleged activities in the Division is being headed by the current Chief Superintendent in Donegal, Terri McGinn. Her investigation team includes a Detective Superintendent, two Inspectors and two Sergeants.

The source said that the allegations feature a large number of serious breaches of discipline, dereliction of duty and other behaviour of a potentially criminal nature. The senior officer, who was transferred after producing a lengthy list of alleged incidents of misconduct by gardaí, also alleged that two serious offences were not investigated. In one of the alleged cases, the investigation failed to lead to charges, despite the culprits being quickly identified. In the other case, the gardaí allegedly failed to obtain CCTV footage until it was too late. The source said: 'It is just a culture, they expect to get a week"s wage for doing nothing. Tell them the DPP said there was not enough evidence to proceed. Stop an odd person for no tax or speeding or drunken driving and have a nice quiet life.'

There are also allegations in relation to drinking on duty and the assault of prisoners. In another instance, it"s alleged that a businessman reported vandalism with thousands of euro worth of damage caused. He complained that when he reported it, a young garda told him, 'what do you want us to do about it?'.

The Anglo Celt also understands that Garda Ombudsman"s office is investigating one complaint by an alleged victim of crime who claims the crime was not investigated.

The activities in the Cavan/Monaghan Division were highlighted in the Dáil by Pat Rabbitte, who had been contacted by gardaí concerned at the levels of indiscipline and dereliction of duty earlier in the year, although he did not name the specific Garda Division concerned.