THE GARDA Síochána Ombudsman Commission has launched an investigation of a garda after it received a report that the man had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a young girl.
The incident came to light after the mother of the girl (15) found an inappropriate message on her daughter’s Facebook page from the garda, who is in his late 20s. She brought the matter to the attention of local gardaí.
They spoke to the mother but she did not wish to make a formal complaint to them.
They then put her in contact with the commission, which launched an investigation into the garda’s behaviour and relationship with the girl.
Investigators have seized the garda’s computer for examination. It is understood that they have also interviewed him about his relationship and behaviour with the girl.
Commission investigators have also spoken to the girl and to her mother. It is also understood that they are in the process of preparing a file on the matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The garda, who is from the town where the girl lives but is serving in another province, was already the subject of an internal Garda investigation following another complaint last year in relation to inappropriate behaviour with another 15-year-old girl.
Gardaí began an investigation after that girl’s parents made a complaint that the garda engaged in a sexual act with their daughter after getting to know her through his work in the town where he is stationed.
The garda was under suspension from the force on foot of that investigation when, it is alleged, he made the inappropriate approach to the second girl via her Facebook page earlier this year.