These are the first pictures of the disgraced ex-GSOC officer who partied with Gerry “The Monk” Hutch after he was arrested on suspicion of leaking information.
The Irish Mirror took these exclusive photographs of the former investigator who made attempts to cover his face with a scarf, the day after he was released from custody without charge.
We approached his residence, which is situated in the North Dublin area, and two women answered the front door. When asked if the former GSOC officer wished to make a comment, we were told: “No comment… good luck.”
Read more: GSOC officer released without charge by gardai in Hutch party probe
Hours later, we observed him being driven to a solicitor’s office in the south of the capital, where he remained for a considerable period of time. Before entering, our reporter asked if he had any comment to make, if he regretted attending the party with The Monk, and if he had plans to return to his native country.
The ex-investigator, who worked at the civilian body that investigates allegations of wrongdoing against gardai for nearly five years, remained silent. He refused to answer any of our questions while he waited to get into the building. His face was entirely covered with the scarf during our encounter.
After a number of hours, the ex-GSOC officer left the building. He was spotted wearing a navy baseball cap which had a red design, and a pair of sunglasses. He sported a Covid-19 mask while also carrying a Tesco shopping bag. He was dressed in jeans, a blue shirt, and had a cream jumper on. As he left he wrapped the scarf around his face again. Our reporter again attempted to ask if he wished to make any comment but the former GSOC officer didn’t respond before he then turned down a laneway.
The man had previously worked as a police officer in another country outside of Europe before moving here. The Irish Mirror understands he worked on drug investigations and anti-corruption probes in his native country.
We can also reveal while there, the former investigator was in a senior position which allowed him to issue statements to the media.
The man in his 60s, who we are not naming, was detained by detectives from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation on suspicion of illegally leaking information following a search of his North Dublin home on Thursday. The Irish Mirror understands he was quizzed for allegedly breaching the Garda Siochana Act of 2005.
That act outlaws gardai from leaking information that causes harm but there is an identical section that covers the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission which is known as GSOC. And anyone convicted of that offence faces a fine of up to €75,000 as well as a jail term that could reach seven years.
It is understood that the officer had full access to the internal Garda PULSE IT system which contains sensitive intelligence and evidence.
A Garda spokesman said yesterday: “The male in his 60s has been released without charge from the provisions
of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
“A file will now be prepared for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigations are ongoing.”
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