Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the claims made by the Garda Representative Association that the Garda Ombudsman Commission contaminated forensic evidence necessary for the prosecution of a particular case due to the manner of conduct of its inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21082/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There is no information available to me, either from the Garda authorities or the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, to support the allegation contained in the Deputy's Question. I am informed that the search which gave rise to the allegation was authorised in accordance with Section 99(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The intention to search was signalled in advance to senior Garda management who appointed nominated liaison officers in the relevant station to assist with, and to monitor, the search. Designated Officers of the Commission were accompanied at all times during the search by a member of An Garda Síochána.