Senior gardaí have launched an internal investigation into a pre-Christmas Garda drinks party in Cork.
The Irish Examiner reports the investigation is being carried out as the gardaí involved may have breached regulations designed to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Gardaí are also investigating the party’s potential connection to a traffic accident that saw one member of the force arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
It comes after a night out in mid-December where a number of middle-ranking, off-duty gardaí who had been socialising in small groups came together in one pub in the city centre.
It is understood that the majority of those being investigated are described as middle-management, of Sergeant rank and above.
Road accident
One officer who is alleged to have attended the gathering was later involved in a road traffic accident, when the vehicle he was driving was in a collision with a van in the Silver Springs area.
The officer then failed a roadside breath-test carried out by on-duty gardaí and was taken to Gurranabraher Garda Station after being arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He was later released without charge.
The driver of the van was treated for minor injuries at Cork University Hospital.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his deputy, John Twomey, have previously suspended officers who did not adhere to public health guidelines.
The Garda Press Office told the Irish Examiner: "As an internal Garda inquiry is ongoing into all the circumstances of this road traffic collision, An Garda Síochána is not in a position to comment further."
