GARDAI PROBE HUTCH PARTY GSOC OFFICER

Alarm raised as official had access to force's Pulse database

- PAUL HEALY

GARDAI are to investigate the presence of a Garda Ombudsman official at Gerry Hutch's welcome home party.

It has emerged that the man, who has since quit his role, had access to the Garda Pulse database, causing alarm among members of the force.

GSOC said: "It is of paramount importance to establish if any concerns of a criminal nature arise.

GSOC has formally asked An Garda Siochana to carry out a probe into claims that their officer, who has now retired, attended a "welcome home" party for Hutch following his acquittal of the Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne.

The officer was facing an internal investigation into the claims but resigned during the week - meaning he did not have to engage with the probe.

Gerry Hutch may also be spoken to as part of the investigation.

In a statement, gardai confirmed the probe, saying: "An Garda Siochana has today started an inquiry to examine whether there was any criminality involved relating to a former GSOC investigator.

In its own statement GSOC said it submitted a report to the Minister for Justice "outlining the action it has taken to date concerning the resignation of a member of our staff".

"When GSOC became aware last week of a potential conflict of interest involving a member of our staff, we immediately removed that member's access to our systems and commenced an initial internal investigation," they said.

"We took these steps promptly...so as to preserve the integrity of our systems and facilitate proper investigation of all matters relating to this. It is not GSOC's policy to investigate itself and we see independent investigation as integral to proper oversight, due process and fairness.