Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I understand from the Garda Commissioner that, in the course of preparing a comprehensive investigation file into the criminal activities of an organised criminal group for consideration by the DPP, a small but nonetheless important portion of the investigation file was brought under gardaí supervision to the premises in question.

During the course of the gardaí visit to the premises, and while a designated member of staff was dealing with the printing request, members of the Garda Síochána became aware that this person communicated with a third party without the consent of the Garda Síochána. The gardaí present on the premises took immediate action to eliminate any risk of further exposure of this portion of the Garda investigation file.

The involvement of the designated member of staff with the third party in this matter is the subject of a continuing Garda investigation, and it would be inappropriate to comment further on this at this time. While the Commissioner is satisfied that the members of the Garda Síochána concerned acted in good faith in this matter, he is taking all steps necessary to avoid any recurrence of such an incident, including the issuing of a Garda Headquarters directive instructing members on the appropriate measures to be taken in compiling investigation files.

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