The Garda Anti-Corruption Unit has begun arresting officers – over an alleged shakedown scam on foreign delivery drivers, it has emerged.
The Irish Mirror has confirmed that a probe into the alleged scam in Dublin that saw four gardai suspended, has now resulted in several arrests – as part of a criminal probe.
The investigation is examining claims that rogue officers attached to a Garda unit were deliberately targeting foreign delivery drivers in Dublin.
Some of the gardai on the unit are alleged to have been taxing the drivers – by forcing them to hand over cash every week so they can continue to work the city’s streets.
READ MORE: Garda allegedly pays criminal €300 to attack female colleague's home amid corruption probe
One garda was held on suspicion of burgling a Brazilian victim’s house, while another was put under the microscope for allegedly providing a false alibi – while others are being investigated for extortion.
Sources say the investigation that began almost two years ago is now gathering pace – and the ACU is set to target more suspected rogue officers in the scam in the coming weeks.
“They are in serious trouble,” a source said last night.
“Suspension is the least of their problems now.”
We have established that one garda was arrested on suspicion of burglary of a Brazilian delivery driver’s home – while another was quizzed on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
That relates to his alleged decision to give a false alibi to other gardai who were under investigation for the shakedown.
Gardai last night confirmed several officers had been arrested as part of the probe.
A spokeswoman told us: “This investigation remains ongoing.
“A number of members of An Garda Síochána have been arrested and detained for questioning as part of this investigation, to date.
“An Garda Síochána does not comment in detail on ongoing investigations.
“An Garda Síochána has previously confirmed that four members of An Garda Síochána are suspended from duty as part of an investigation into certain matters [in a named Garda area].
“An Garda Síochána does not comment on internal matters.”
The investigation stems from an alleged incident in September 2021 in which a female Deliveroo worker alleged that two men claiming to be gardai searched her.
During the alleged incident, the woman said the two men searched her property, saying that they had a warrant.
The woman later made a complaint saying an amount of money had been stolen.
An investigation was launched and an evo-fit of the two suspects alleged to be impersonating gardai was circulated.
However it later emerged that both men were serving garda members - after one of them recognised himself from the evo-fit came forward to say he believed he was on a legitimate policing task at the time.
Gardai then began a criminal investigation into the incident and subsequently an experienced officer was suspended.
But at the end of the year, the ACU then searched a Dublin Garda station - and three more officers were suspended.
That ACU investigation has been ongoing since late 2021 and in recent weeks a number of gardai have been arrested.
They were held in a Garda station in another part of the city and were quizzed by ACU detectives before being released without charge.
It’s understood ACU, which is led by Chief Superintendent Johanna O'Leary, has identified other suspects and action is expected against them in the coming weeks.
It is likely a file will then be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
That office will examine the evidence and decide if any member of the force should be charged.
As part of the probe, ACU detectives searched a number of lockers in a Garda station in the city.
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