Updated at 3pm.
A FIANNA FÁIL Senator has added his voice to call for an independent investigation into the death of a garda who took his own life at a Donegal Garda Station last Thursday.
It follows criticism of Garda watchdog body GSOC from the family of Sergeant Michael Galvin, and garda representative body the AGSI.
AGSI General Secretary John Redmond said yesterday there needed to be a government inquiry into how GSOC treated the garda prior to his death.
Sergeant Galvin had previously been questioned by GSOC officers as part of an investigation into a fatal traffic incident on 1 January.
He had been cleared of any wrongdoing – but that fact was never communicated to him.
Redmond said the association felt compelled to highlight the stress felt by Sgt Galvin in the weeks leading up to his sudden and tragic death.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Commissioner Kieran Fitzgerald defended GSOC’s investigation into the garda sergeant’s death – and said it was already underway.
“I think it is appropriate that we investigate his death and I think it is very important that we separate the two investigations.
There are several gardaí and several members of the public who are involved in that investigation in various guises.
Fitzgerald added that GSOC was only commenting on the matter in public with “considerable reluctance”.
The investigation into the 1 January road fatality had concluded last Wednesday, Fitzgerald said. GSOC found there was no evidence to support any conclusion that there was any wrongdoing on Sergeant Galvin’s part.
“It would not be normal practice at all to inform people in advance of consideration whether to send a file to the DPP of the outcomes, or at least of our recommendations.
In fact we’re only discussing this publicly now because it was referred to publicly by others.
Fitzgerald said that “in the normal run of events we wouldn’t be communicating with people at that stage of the investigation what our feelings about it were”.
Fresh call
In a statement this afternoon, Sligo-Leitrim Fianna Fáil Senator Marc Mac Sharry said he had written to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald calling for an independent investigation into Sgt. Galvin’s death.
“This is an extremely tragic situation and it is vitally important that an independent investigation into Sgt. Galvin’s death is carried out.
“I have written to the Justice Minister urging her to set up a Commission of Inquiry into his death, along with a review into any investigations either ongoing or completed in relation his performance in carrying out his duties.”
“I have asked Minister Fitzgerald to ensure that GSOC have no part in carrying out the investigation into Sgt Galvin’s death,” Mac Sharry said.
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