The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission today confirmed it is investigating internet video footage of officers apparently making fun of a man seeking help.
The force's official watchdog, launched only last month, stressed it was treating very seriously the online broadcast on YouTube. The footage shows what appears to be a garda officer mocking a member of the public, from Kingscourt, Co Cavan, who telephoned the garda station looking for the sergeant.
"It would be foolish to treat this as a hoax. We are taking it seriously," said Kieran FitzGerald, the Ombudsman's Head of Communications and Research.
"There's enough there to warrant an investigation so we will have a look at it in that sense." Garda Headquarters also confirmed it has launched its own internal investigation into the video uploaded onto the internet last week, just a day before Army chiefs revealed they were investigating mock web footage of its troops firing at civilians in Liberia.
The Garda recording was uploaded to the "entertainment" category of the popular video-sharing website used by millions worldwide last Thursday by a user with the alias LucidLJ.
The face of the uniformed garda on the telephone is clearly visible while another female officer in the room is also shown before she blocks her face with her hand
A garda number on the shoulder of one officer is also identifiable in the four minute 35 second recording brought to the attention of the Ombudsman by a member of the public yesterday.
A Garda spokesman said he was unable at this early stage of their inquiries to say if any offences may have been committed or whether garda conduct code was breached. "We are aware of the video footage on You Tube and the matter is currently under investigation," he said.
PA