Top garda makes statement on judge's remarks

The Garda chief superintendent of Mayo, Chief Supt Johnny Carey, has issued a statement on comments by a judge at Westport District…

The Garda chief superintendent of Mayo, Chief Supt Johnny Carey, has issued a statement on comments by a judge at Westport District Court on Thursday.

At the court it emerged that a Westport-based garda, Garda Linus Fahy, admitted that he had falsified a statement in relation to a case taken against a young Castlebar man on drink-driving charges. He did it to save embarrassing a 17-year-old girl who was with the man.

Judge Mary Devins expressed her shock and adjourned the court, dismissing all charges against the young man. She said the case was tainted with irregularities or much worse.

In his statement, Chief Supt Carey said that the case first came before the court on April 3rd last year, when Supt Pat Doyle, prosecuting, "became aware of certain matters which were outlined in court yesterday.

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"He immediately took appropriate action. He informed the judge and obtained an adjournment and ordered a reinvestigation.

"He sent a file to the DPP with the full facts. The DPP made an informed decision based on the full facts."

Supt Doyle reported to Chief Supt Carey, who ordered a disciplinary investigation. The chief superintendent was then informed that a complaint had been made to the Garda Complaints Board, which took precedence over the disciplinary investigation, which was then suspended.

On January 9th, 2004, the Garda Complaints Board informed Chief Supt Carey that the matter was being referred to a tribunal.

The statement says that "accordingly, this matter is sub judice".