Garda probe launched after woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by Defence Forces officer in Dublin

Gardai (Stock Image)

Investigations into a sexual assault allegation against a Defence Force officer are taking place by gardai and Military Police officers.

A woman drinking with the officer is alleged to have been sexually assaulted after she was invited back to his accommodation in Dublin on Saturday night, March 16. The woman left the officer’s accommodation after the alleged assault and contacted gardai.

Gardai attended the officer’s accommodation to question him and the place was sealed off and searched by forensics. In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí received a report of an alleged assault that is reported to have occurred on Saturday 16th March in (an area of Dublin).

“Investigations into this incident are ongoing. No further information is available at this time.”

Meanwhile, a Defence Forces spokesperson said: “The Defence Forces are aware of an incident and as it’s the subject of an investigation, it is inappropriate to comment.”

The incident is one of a number of allegations in recent years against serving Defence Forces personnel being investigated by either gardaí or Military Police.

Earlier this month a senior male officer in a branch of the Defence Forces was being investigated about alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.

A military police investigation was launched arising out of a formal complaint about the alleged incident, which is understood to have occurred while both were representing the service overseas.

As of September last year, there have been seven allegations of sexual assault, one of sexual harassment, one of indecent exposure, and 12 of inappropriate behaviour in the 2020s so far.

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