Garda to go on trial for giving GSOC false information

A detective garda is to go on trial after a court heard yesterday that he was pleading not guilty to giving false statements to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) during an investigation.

Det Garda David O’Brien, based at Harcourt Square station, Dublin, has been charged with giving false or misleading information to the GSOC at its offices on Abbey Street on a date in October 2012.

He is being prosecuted under section 110 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the case was listed at Dublin District Court yesterday.

The officer had already been excused from having to attend the hearing.

Defence solicitor Matthew Kenny told Judge Michael Walsh that a date for hearing was required, meaning that his client was pleading not guilty to the charge and would be contesting the allegation.

The lawyer also said the hearing would last “at least one full day” and he asked that it take place in either June or July.

Judge Walsh adjourned the case until a date in May when it will be listed for mention only to set the date on which the non-jury District Court trial will be held.