Irish News

Garda investigation underway following an attempted break-in at GSOC office in Dublin

12/09/2023 UP DATED BY WATCHROOT 26 SEPTEMBER 2023.

An investigation is underway after an attempted break-in occurred at the Garda watchdog’s offices in Dublin.

The incident took place just days after the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) completed a six-year criminal probe into financial irregularities at Templemore Garda Training College.

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It’s understood a lone male created ‘superficial damage’ to the entry of its premises on Abbey Street Upper, in Dublin city, last Thursday morning, while he attempted to get inside.

When gardaí were alerted to the incident, an assessment was carried out to make sure the individual had not interfered with GSOC’s operations.

The office, which holds crucial information on investigations relating to members of An Garda Síochána, was temporarily closed to facilitate the evaluation of the scene. No arrests were made, but gardaí are continuing to investigate the incident.

A GSOC spokesman told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘On conclusion of An Garda Síochána’s work, the building reopened. The incident resulted in some superficial damage to an entryway, which has now been repaired. No other part of the building was affected, and there was no impact on GSOC operations.’

The attempted break-in occurred just two days after a file was sent to the DPP following GSOC’s investigation into financial irregularities at Templemore Garda Training College, in Co. Tipperary. The matter was referred to GSOC by then Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan, in June 2017, after serious financial irregularities were uncovered during an internal audit of the college.

The Irish Daily Mail has also learned former Garda human resources boss John Barrett – the whistleblower who exposed the activities at Templemore – made repeated attempts to assist the GSOC investigation.

But he was only interviewed for one hour throughout the Ombudsman’s six-year-long probe.