Courts / Wicklow / Report
Lawyers for accused detective describe investigation as one "nobody seemed to know anything about"
Summary
In March 2015, lawyers for Wicklow Detective Garda Catherine McGowan, aged 48, described the investigation into her alleged forgery of a DPP letter as one "nobody seemed to know anything about." McGowan pleaded not guilty to one count of forgery and two counts of using a false instrument, relating to a January 2009 letter and incidents in June 2011. The case was prompted by the Murphy Report on clerical sexual abuse, which named a priest involved in McGowan's investigation. During cross‑examination, Detective Sergeant Eamonn O'Neill admitted he had assigned the case to McGowan in March 2007 and had brief interactions with her in July 2007, but claimed he had not followed up on the investigation. O'Neill denied recalling any request for an update. The prosecution presented a covering report dated October 2008, which O'Neill said he had never received. The trial is ongoing before Judge Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lawyers for accused detective describe investigation as one "nobody seemed to know anything about". 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 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 21 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 14, 2009 Other
- March 2007 Other
- July 2007 Other
- October 2008 Other
- 2015-03-04 Publication
Why: You are saying the reason you didn't know is because you didn't ask. CNI source report
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
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Harcourt Street
Topics
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