Courts / Wicklow / Report

Detective goes on trial accused of forging letter from DPP in relation to sex abuse investigation

Summary

In February 2015, Detective Garda Catherine McGowan, aged 48 and based at Bray Garda Station, faced trial on charges of forging a letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) related to a priest's sexual abuse investigation. She pleaded not guilty to one count of forgery and two counts of using a false instrument, alleged to involve a letter dated 14 January 2009. Prosecutor Alex Owens argued that McGowan forged the document to mislead Gardaí reviewing her handling of the case, which was prompted by the Murphy Report on clerical abuse. Evidence included a copy of the purported DPP letter, claimed to state that prosecution was impossible due to conjecture in the victim's statement. The trial, set for two weeks, was before Judge Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Detective goes on trial accused of forging letter from DPP in relation to sex abuse investigation. Charges or matters: one count of forgery on January 15, 2009 at Bray Garda Station and two counts of using a false instrument at Bray Garda Station and at Harcourt Street Garda Station between June 21 and 22, 2011. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 15, 2009 Other
• June 21 Other
• January 14, 2009 Other
• 2015-02-23 Publication

Why: Counsel said the jury will hear evidence of a copy of a letter, supposedly from the DPP, which directed that a prosecution of the priest would be "impossible" because of "conjecture" in the alleged victim's statement. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report