Ex-PSNI officer challenges sacking over alleged spying on woman

A PSNI officer sacked after being investigated for allegedly spying on a woman in a tanning salon has won legal permission to challenge his dismissal.

Paul Laverty was granted leave at the High Court to seek a judicial review over disclosure of information about the incident in July 2010 to his PSNI bosses.

It was claimed he had peered over a cubicle partition to view a female customer in a Letterkenny tanning shop.

Garda inquiries resulted in no charges or prosecution being brought. However, details of the alleged incident were passed to the PSNI.

Misconduct proceedings were brought against Mr Laverty - who is understood to live in the Irish Republic - for allegedly failing to report a criminal investigation.

He was dismissed from the force, a decision upheld by an appeals tribunal last September. His lawyers mounted a legal challenge, claiming a breach of data protection and a violation of privacy rights.

Ruling on the first stage today, Mr Justice Horner said: "The real issue is whether the provision of personal information by the Garda poisoned the subsequent investigation which the PSNI carried out."

A full hearing is expected to take place next year.

ALAN ERWIN