‘SHOCKWAVES’ | 

Ex-senior garda who investigated sex crimes arrested over rape allegations

The former officer was released without charge on Friday night.

Today at 22:52

A former senior garda arrested and questioned over allegations of rape was involved in many cases where he investigated multiple high profile sexual abuse cases.

He was arrested on Friday morning in Dublin and held at a south inner city garda station in the capital where he was quizzed by specialist detectives on allegations of rape and sexual abuse.

The former officer was later released without charge.

“This male has been released from detention. Investigations are ongoing and a file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” a garda spokesman said.

It is understood that the investigation into the former garda has been ongoing for over a year.

A garda spokesperson confirmed the arrest and said that the man was arrested for “alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act 1990.”

In a statement the Garda Press Office also confirmed that the man was a former member of An Garda Síochána but is now a private citizen.

He was detained under Section 4 of Criminal Justice Act and can be questioned for up to 24 hours meaning a decision to release or charge him with a criminal offence must be made by tomorrow.

Senior sources say that the news of the man’s arrest has sent “shockwaves” through An Garda Siochana.

“Many members of all ranks are shocked about this arrest,” one source said.

The former officer served at a senior level in An Garda Síochána for many years but he has been under investigation now for some time.