A Garda sergeant has brought a High Court action aimed at quashing the Garda Ombudsman’s decision to investigate allegations that he harassed a man over a four-year period.
Garda Sgt Oliver Moran, Kilmacrennan Garda station, Co Donegal, is disputing the Garda Ombudsman Commission’s decision extending the six-month time limit for completion of an inquiry into a complaint by Josie Kelly he was harassed between 2003 and 2007. In his judicial review proceedings, Garda Sgt Moran is seeking various orders and declarations, including an order quashing the decision that the complaint was admissible. The commission is opposing the proceedings.
Yesterday, James Connolly SC, for Garda Sgt Moran, argued the Garda Ombudsman lacked jurisdiction to make the decision extending time to investigate the complaint.
The court heard that Mr Kelly, Creeslough, Co Donegal, made a complaint to the Garda Ombudsman last February that he was harassed between 2003 and 2007 by Garda Sgt Moran. Mr Kelly also complained he was assaulted by other gardaí in 2009 while in custody at Letterkenny station.
The action before Mr Justice John Hedigan continues.