Trevor Quinn
IT has emerged this week that one of five gardai at the centre of the ‘rape tape’ controversy has yet to be interviewed or formally questioned by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) three weeks after the incident came to light.
Two of the gardai, have already been acquitted after initial investigations found they had no case to answer. They have since resumed regular garda duties.
Dublin Shell to Sea spokeswoman Caoimhe Kerins said the delay in handing over the original tape to the Garda Ombudsman had occurred because the camera did not belong to the two women at the centre of the furore.
The environmental activists have revealed that the camera belonged to NUI Maynooth. The students said the reason for the delay was due to other recordings being present on the machine which had to be returned and downloaded by the university.
The university then passed the camera containing the controversial 37-minute recording on to the GSOC just over a week ago.
The much publicised recording is understood to be stored on a hard drive on the camera.
Tuam based Superintendent Gearóid Begley compiled a report on his findings after interviewed the five gardai some weeks ago, and it was believed that the GSOC would now be also nearing the completion of their investigation.
Just over three weeks ago the GSOC made the unprecedented decision of launching a public interest enquiry ahead of receiving a complaint.
The five gardai who were allegedly involved in the scandal were subsequently confined to administrative duties.
Shell to Sea Spokesperson Ms Kerins said that while they were assisting gardai with their enquiries they were not overly pleased with how the investigation is progressing.
“We are still calling for an independent and international investigation into what’s going on in Mayo.
There has been a long history of human rights abuses linked to the pipeline,” added Ms Kerins.
Elsewhere on mayonews.ie
Far from harmless banter
‘Rape tape’ still not with Ombudsman
Garda ‘rape tape’ unravels new Corrib twist
Garda Commissioner apologises for ‘rape tape’ comments
‘Rape-Tape’ woman to reveal identity
Gardaí in Corribgate scandal
