Courts / Wicklow / Report
No evidence computers at detective's garda station were used to create allegedly forged DPP letter, trial hears
Summary
The trial of Detective Garda Catherine McGowan, aged 48 and based at Bray Garda Station, is hearing that computers at her station were not used to create a forged letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions. McGowan pleaded not guilty to one count of forgery and two counts of using a false instrument in 2009 and 2011. The alleged letter, dated 14 January 2009, claimed that a rape allegation was conjecture and could not form the basis of a prosecution. On day four, Detective John Finan of the Computer Crime Unit testified that searches of two hard drives for phrases from the letter yielded no results, and that traces would still be found if the original file had been deleted. Charles Nicholson, who handled filing in 2006, said a note referred to a letter that could not be located in the system.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No evidence computers at detective's garda station were used to create allegedly forged DPP letter, trial hears. 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
- 2015-02-26 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 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 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- is based at Bray Garda Station
- Bray
- at Bray Garda Station
- false instrument at Bray Garda Station
- and at Harcourt Street Garda Station
- storeroom at the garda station
- Harcourt Street
Topics
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