Ex-garda to go on trial for alleged sex assaults at station

Former officer is also charged with harassing and stalking another woman and was questioned over immigration ‘bribes’

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Ali Bracken Email

February 13 2022 02:30 AM

A former garda in the west of Ireland has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman on two occasions at a garda station, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

One of the alleged assaults took place on St Valentine’s Day. Separately, the married officer is also charged with harassing and stalking another woman.

He has now been sent forward for trial in the circuit court, having appeared in the district court last month in relation to four charges.

He is charged with two counts of sexual assault on the same woman, which allegedly took place on two dates in February 2015 at the garda station where he was then based. He is also charged with harassing and stalking the same woman, as well as another, on dates in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

It is claimed he used coercion and his “position of power” as a member of An Garda Síochána to commit the alleged sexual assaults against the woman. Both alleged victims are foreign nationals.

The officer was previously arrested for questioning in connection with immigration offences.

He was questioned over allegations of taking bribes in return for stamping forms that allowed foreign nationals to stay in Ireland without the correct documentation. He was released without charge the next day.

As a consequence of that wide-ranging investigation, the alleged crimes he is now charged with came to light.

Gardaí later sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

It is understood the officer retired early from the force several years ago when he became aware he was under investigation.

He first appeared in court just before Christmas and again on January 26.

The district court sent the case to the circuit court, which deals with more serious crimes before a judge and jury and can impose lengthier jail terms.

The investigation is a joint operation between local gardaí and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and is overseen by Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll.

Another garda is facing separate charges of sexual assault, threatening to kill and coercive control of his former partner, with whom he has a child.

The officer, in his 40s, cannot be named for legal reasons.

The charges include coercive control, four counts of assault causing harm, two sexual assault allegations, as well as 10 criminal damage charges, a threat to kill, endangerment of life, four thefts, one count of harassment and offences related to phone communications with his former partner.

The defendant, who remains suspended from duty and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, appeared in court last year and denies all the charges.