GARDAI are investigating an article in the Sunday Independent about the travelling community for a possible breach of incitement to hatred legislation, after a complaint to the Garda Commissioner.
The Commissioner, Mr Patrick Culligan, has forwarded the written complaint from Pavee Point, the Dublin Travellers' Education and Development group, to Fitzgibbon Street. A separate complaint was sent to gardai at the station by Progressive Democrat deputies, following the publication of the article by Mary Ellen Synon on January 28th.
A team of six officers will investigate the complaint, which has been filed under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, according to a Garda source. An inquiry into the complaint was set up by gardai yesterday at Fitzgibbon Street.
A Garda source said of the complaint: "It is a very unusual one. We don't deal with many cases of this kind. If it goes to court it will be the first prosecution to be taken under the legislation.
After a press conference at which Pavee Point said it was taking legal advice on the article, the organisation filed a complaint to the gardai, alleging it was likely to stir up hatred against the travelling community.
Contacted last night Ms Synon said she had no comment to make on the investigation.