Gardai face charges over 'assault and false imprisonment of teen' after alleged water squirting
The incident began with one of them allegedly squirting water at the teen
Three gardaí are facing prosecution over an incident involving a teenage boy – that began with one of them allegedly squirting water at him.
The Irish Mirror has learned that the Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered the gardaí to be charged following an investigation by GSOC, the independent policing watchdog.
Sources say the trio – who are based in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, or DMR– are to be hit with charges of assault and false imprisonment following the probe.
READ MORE: 'Blessed' Irish bar workers scoop 'life changing' fortune in Canadian lottery
READ MORE: Irish households must shut windows 'at all times' for next six weeks
They have not appeared in court, but have been summonsed, or formally notified about the case against them. Sources say rank and file gardaí are furious that the gardaí are to be charged. “Everyone in the DMR is talking about it,” one source said.
“The feeling is the members are really unlucky to be charged and now they’re jobs are on the line over a silly incident.” We have established that the incident happened around six months ago on a Dublin street and GSOC has been investigating a complaint from the 17-year-old ever since.
Investigators sent a file to the DPP, who has recently authorised the officers to be charged – although it is not clear if each member is to be charged with assault and false imprisonment, or just one or the other. GSOC declined to comment when we contacted them over the case.
A spokesman told us: “GSOC does not confirm or deny the existence of complaints made by or against individuals. This is to protect the investigative process, and the rights both of complainants, and those complained against. GSOC is not in a position to comment further.”
We have established, however, that the incident began when three gardaí stopped the teenager in the city earlier this year. It’s understood the officers legally detained him for a drugs search – but then a confrontation quickly developed between them and him.
It’s understood the teen alleges that during the stand-off one of the gardaí squirted water at him from a plastic bottle. The officers then detained him for a second drugs search – and sources say that is why the DPP has decided to prefer charges of false imprisonment against them.
“The view is there was no legal basis for the second detention as they had already detained him for the first drugs search a few minutes earlier. That is why they have the charge of false imprisonment,” a source said.
We also understand that the assault charge is a so-called section two offence. That is the lowest category of assault and sources said they believed it referred to the officers laying hands on the teenager for the second search. “It is not a serious assault, but it is an alleged offence regardless,” one source said.
The officers are expected to appear in Dublin District Court in the coming days. If convicted they could face a fine and even jail. Gardaí do not comment on GSOC probes.
Sign up to the Irish Mirror's daily newsletter here and get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
