GARDA OMBUDSMAN INVESTIGATING DEATH FOLLOWING INCIDENT AT WATERFORD GARDA’S HOME
The Garda Ombudsman is investigating the death of an 18-year-old man after an incident at the home of a Senior officer in Co Waterford.
Three other men remain in custody – after they were arrested close to the scene at the house in Dungarvan.
The incident unfolded before two o’clock this morning when the senior garda’s wife heard the sound of breaking glass.
The off-duty officer went to the front door – where he was confronted by a group of youths – who it’s understood may not have deliberately targeted his house.
A bottle was thrown at the Garda – who sustained cuts to the back of the head. The group then fled – at which point on-duty gardaí and a search helicopter were called in.
During follow-up searches, the body of an 18-year-old man was found at a stream in the Whitestrand area.
GSOC says one of its senior investigators was dispatched to Dungarvan at 1.59 this morning – after being referred by the Interim Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan.
A post mortem will be carried out on the 18-year-old’s body later.
Three other suspects – all of them older than the man who died – have been arrested. They’re being questioned in Waterford City.
The focus of Garda inquiries at the moment is on the activity of the group of youths before the confrontation.
The Garda himself – who is a married father of two – is said to be very shaken by what’s transpired.
