RCNI were shocked today to hear about the case of a Garda who is being prosecuted for allegedly forging a letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions informing a survivor of sexual violence that their case had been dropped, when in fact it had not.

Fiona Neary, RCNI Director said, ‘this allegation, if proved, represents a betrayal of trust of survivors and indeed of An Garda Siochana. Sexual violence crimes are difficult to investigate and to prosecute, and the commitment and perseverance of An Garda Siochana are vital to secure justice  for survivors of sexual violence.

‘RCNI asks the Garda Commissioner to reassure survivors  that this incident is very far from typical and that this allegation, if proved, in no way reflects general Garda attitudes to investigating sexual violence crimes. Survivors must be able to trust that all criminal justice professionals take these crimes seriously and act in the interests of justice. The high standards set out in the Garda Siochana Policy on the investigation of crimes of sexual violence must be seen by survivors to be put into practice by An Garda Siochana at every level, and in this regard, RCNI acknowledges some very positive effects for survivors of the implementation by An Garda Siochana of that Policy.

‘The RCNI, its Rape Crisis Centres and An Garda Siochana, nationally and locally have worked hard building good and appropriate relationships in the interests of the effective investigation of sexual crimes and to vindicate survivors’ rights and dignity. It is in everyone’s interest that no questions remain over the commitment of all to the common goal of securing justice.’