Ireland Garda under criminal investigation over alleged harassment of female colleague
A serving Garda in the west of Ireland is at the centre of a criminal investigation over alleged harassment of a female colleague, a Garda, including with bananas, after he allegedly learned of her fear of the fruit. The alleged conduct, suspected of lasting more than two years, included text messages, derogatory comments in front of colleagues, bananas left in her cars and station rooms, and an alleged break-in to her locker. Garda detectives began a criminal investigation after a complaint earlier in 2023, and the man was interviewed under caution. As of 5 October 2023 investigators had sent a file to the DPP to consider charges of harassment and criminal damage, and no charge has been reported, with a decision likely to take several months.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A serving Garda is alleged to have harassed a female colleague, a member of the force, including with bananas.
- The two knew each other, but the female garda did not want a relationship with the man.
- The man is alleged to have bombarded the woman with text messages and made derogatory comments about her in front of colleagues.
- Where
- The man is understood to have regularly left bananas in Garda cars the woman would use and in rooms at the station.
- The alleged harassment took place at a Garda station in the west of Ireland.
- Cause
- The harassment is alleged to have intensified after the man learned of the woman's phobia of bananas.
- When
- The alleged harassment is suspected of having lasted more than two years.
- Garda detectives began a criminal investigation into a complaint earlier in 2023.
- Investigation
- The man was interviewed under caution earlier in 2023.
- Other details
- It is claimed the man had a banana on his head during a meeting with a more senior officer about his alleged behaviour.
- Charges
- The criminal damage allegation relates to the man allegedly breaking into the woman's locker at a Garda station in the west of Ireland.
- Investigators have sent a file to the DPP to consider whether the man should be charged with harassment and criminal damage.
- In court
- It is likely to be several months before the man learns whether he will be charged.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA serving Garda is alleged to have harassed another member of the force, including with bananas. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA serving west of Ireland garda is at the centre of a criminal investigation for allegedly harassing another member of the force. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatThe officer is alleged to have tormented the female garda with bananas. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatThe two knew each other, but the female garda did not want a relationship with the suspect. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatThe suspect allegedly bombarded the female garda with text messages. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatThe suspect allegedly made derogatory comments to the female garda in front of colleagues. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereThe alleged locker break-in took place at a Garda station in the west of Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe suspect allegedly left bananas in Garda cars the female garda would use and in rooms in the station. (galwaybeo.ie)
- causeThe harassment is alleged to have ramped up after the officer learned of the female garda's banana phobia. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGarda detectives began a criminal investigation into a complaint earlier this year. (irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe suspect was interviewed under caution earlier this year. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe officer was interviewed under caution earlier this year. (galwaybeo.ie)
- chargeInvestigators have sent a file to the DPP to consider charges of harassment and criminal damage. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeInvestigators have sent a file to the DPP to consider whether the officer should be charged with harassment and criminal damage. (galwaybeo.ie)
- chargeThe criminal damage allegation relates to the officer allegedly breaking into the female garda's locker at a west of Ireland Garda station. (galwaybeo.ie)
- courtIt is likely to be several months before the officer learns whether he will be charged. (irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
- otherThe alleged harassment included bombarding the woman with text messages and making derogatory comments in front of colleagues. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe is understood to have regularly left bananas in Garda cars that he knew the female officer would use. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe alleged harassment is suspected of having lasted more than two years. (irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
- otherIt is claimed the suspect had a banana on his head during a meeting with a more senior officer about his alleged behaviour. (galwaybeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Oct2023Garda driving colleague bananas allegedly harassing female officer over phobia
Reports the Garda investigation into alleged harassment and criminal damage, that a file has been sent to the DPP, and that the suspect was interviewed under caution earlier this year.
suspect, malevictim, female - 5 Oct2023Garda allegedly used bananas to harass female officer with fruit phobia
Reports that a file has been sent to the DPP, that the suspect was interviewed under caution earlier in 2023, and that the alleged harassment lasted over two years. No arrest or charge is reported.
suspect, malevictim, female