Ireland Crime

Reports the arrest of a retired senior Garda officer and the NBCI investigation into his alleged relationship with the Hutch gang, including property searches, seizure of cannabis and cash, and suspension of a serving Garda.

Reports the ongoing detention of the retired garda under anti-gang legislation, the seizure of cannabis and cash, the suspension of a serving detective garda, and the Bureau's inquiry into possible disclosure of confidential information to the gang.

Adds the detail that the retired officer is specifically suspected of being the 'mole' who leaked information to Gerry the Monk Hutch about the planned arrest in Spain, and that the officer could appear in court as early as 3 October 2021. Also notes that Spanish judges said Hutch must be allowed to serve his sentence in Spain if convicted because he is a 'resident' there.

Adds details on the serving Garda's suspension on 1 October, the retired officer's 72-hour detention extension granted at court and questioning at Irishtown Garda station, and that a small number of middle-management serving gardaí were also targeted in searches but not arrested.

Adds that NBCI officers are examining social media and WhatsApp messages on seized devices, that the digital element could take several weeks, that no further arrests have been made, and that information about the alleged activities came from criminal sources.

Reports the district court hearing at which the retired senior garda's initial 48-hour detention was extended by 72 hours; he is being questioned at Irishtown Garda Station and can be held until Monday.

Adds that the investigation has been widened to include serving Garda members targeted in searches, that no findings of wrongdoing have been made, that the retired officer had rapidly progressed to a senior position, that one strand examines whether confidential Garda information was passed to criminals, and that seized mobile phones are being analysed.

Adds details that three serving Gardaí's homes were raided over 48 hours, that the officers are highly experienced and well-respected, that information came from criminal sources, that no further arrests were made, that 30kg of cannabis herb was seized, and that the retired Garda was held at Irishtown Garda Station under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

Adds that serving Garda members are under suspicion in the same investigation, that the retired officer was detained under Section 50 at Irishtown Garda Station, and that mobile phones were seized to examine contacts with serving members.

Provides the initial Garda statement confirming the arrest, the five searches, and the seizure of 30kg of cannabis (€600,000) and €47,000 in cash.

Initial Garda statement and news report confirming the suspect is a retired senior garda in his early 60s, the specific charge under section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, the alleged form of the offence (passing sensitive information about Garda operations), and that he is being held at Irishtown Garda Station.

Confirms the GNBCI operation details: five searches, 30kgs cannabis (€600,000), €47,000 cash, one 61-year-old male arrested under section 72 CJA 2006 and detained at Irishtown Garda Station. Adds that the probe also centred on the alleged leaking of sensitive garda details to the north inner city criminal grouping, with a retired garda officer identified as one target.

Confirms the suspect is 61 years old, specifies 30kg of cannabis and €47,000 cash seized across five GNBCI searches, and states he was arrested under section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, and detained at Irishtown Garda Station under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

Official Garda press release confirming the arrest and seizure details from the GNBCI organised crime operation.