CRIMINALS whose operations have been disrupted by the Garda have been "peddling" allegations of corruption against the force to newspapers, the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, has said.
In an interview with The Irish Times, the Commissioner listed a series of what he said were untrue allegations made against the force. He said only criminals could benefit from their publication.
Mr Byrne added that he would investigate any criminal or corrupt practice by any member of the force but he did not want the public to believe that the force was "awash with corruption".
"Today I read a number of things in the papers," Mr Byrne said yesterday. "That drug dealers are seeking the return of £200,000 from a senior Garda officer. This is not true.
"That sections of the Garda Siochana have known of allegations against senior gardai in Cork for the past five years. My comment would be that they're not very good police officers if they've kept it to themselves for five years. No police officer would hold that for five years. It's not true.
"That special Garda undercover units are being sent to establish if there are links between gardai and drug dealers in Cork. That's not true. Wherever they were going they weren't going for that purpose.
"That six gardai attached to a south Dublin station are under investigation for their role in Veronica Guerin's murder and that Garda management is aware of this. Not true.
"That the Garda authorities are being economical with the truth in order to protect the reputation of the force. Not true.
"That Veronica Guerin informed senior gardai that she had acquired evidence of Garda corruption in the weeks prior to her death. Not true. I spoke to Veronica Guerin on many occasions and I have no doubt that if she had that information she would have made me aware of it.
"That a Garda involved in an operation at Dublin Airport was involved in some corrupt or criminal practice. Not true. He was involved in a police operation."
Mr Byrne said there was "absolutely no truth in these allegations".
"I intended ignoring these reports. However, I'm very concerned that the public out there might begin to believe some or all of the contents of these reports so, therefore, I think it's important that I make my views known.
"I'm aware that certain sections of the criminal fraternity are hurting at the moment and are involved in trying to damage the reputation of the Garda Siochana at this time. If they think such action is going to result in an easing off of our effort then they are sadly mistaken.
"It was well known last week that disgruntled and discommoded people were peddling these stories. Most journalists realised that this was an attempt to use them and one must ask `who benefits from such unfounded criticism of the Garda Siochana?' And I think the answer is obvious criminals. Law abiding people don't benefit from it.
"I will not be deterred, irrespective of the consequences, from investigating criminal or corrupt practices by any officer of any rank in the Garda Siochana, and I think that people who know me know this to be true.
"At present, we have two investigations in progress, both headed by a chief superintendent. One is in relation to allegations by a member of the Garda Siochana in Cork against an officer in Cork city. While the chief superintendent has been appointed for nine or 10 weeks, the complainant has only recently supplied the chief superintendent with his allegations.
"In Dublin, we're investigating breaches of procedure by a garda. If this develops into criminality whatever falls from it will be investigated, no matter who it affects.
"The public has a right to know the true picture and not have a perception that the Garda Siochana is awash with corruption. This is not true.
"I will be the first person to admit if we have a major problem in the force, or that we erred in our investigative practices if that is the case. However, I will nol shirk from defending this police force when the need arises."