A Garda Superintendent from Tuam Garda Station is to play a pivotal role in an investigation into alledged comments made by three gardai during the arrest of Corrib oil protesters.
Two separate investigations were launched following allegations that a sergeant and two gardai had arrested two women near the Corrib gas pipeline in Mayo and then subsequently joked about threatening to rape and deport one of the women.
According to reports the Garda Ombudsman, which has not received a complaint about the matter, has launched a public interest inquiry.
Meanwhile, Supt Gearoid Begley from Tuam been directed to carry out a separate investigation by establishing the facts and reporting directly to the Garda Commissioner.
It is understood that Supt Begley has already questioned the three officers about the allegations.
