Three members of An Garda Síochána (AGS) have been arrested this morning in an operation led by the Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations (SCO), involving personnel attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).

A Garda Superintendent has been arrested for suspected breach of the provisions of section 62 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005. 

A Garda Inspector has been arrested for suspected breach of provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-1984.  A member of the Garda rank has been arrested for suspected conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. 

Deputy Commissioner John Twomey, confirmed this morning that three members of AGS are in custody for questioning under suspicion that they have been involved in one or more criminal offences. 

Alleged wrongdoing

He said "An Garda Síochána is fully committed to investigating any alleged wrongdoing or corruption involving Garda personnel, and will work with other relevant agencies in doing so. As this is a live and ongoing investigation, it is not appropriate to make any further comment at this time.”

Under section 62 of the Garda Síochána Act, a member of AGS or of its civilian staff or who is or was engaged under contract or other arrangement to work with or for the Garda Síochána shall not disclose, in or outside the State, any information obtained in the course of carrying out duties of that person’s office, employment, contract or other arrangement if the person knows the disclosure of that information is likely to have a harmful effect.