<p>
	The Rape Crisis Centre has called for a &ldquo;speedy and thorough&rdquo; investigation after it was revealed that garda&iacute; failed to inform HSE child and family services about a potential threat to young children.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	On Sunday a mother, who claims she was raped by a garda, told Independent.ie that during her alleged ordeal the officer admitted child sex fantasies.</p>
<p>
	The woman said she contacted a senior garda member immediately after her alleged rape in August 2013 and raised concerns for the safety of named children.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	A number of days later she repeated those concerns when she verbally reported her rape allegations to a second senior officer.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	However, in a letter from the office of T&aacute;naiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald sent to the woman in August 2016, a senior civil servant acknowledged this information was not passed on to HSE child and family services.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Furthermore, the letter confirms the District Officer in the garda division &quot;failed to retain in writing a record of the decision and the justification for not initially reporting the alleged child protection issues in compliance with the HQ directive&quot;.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	An investigation was carried out into the first alleged attack by the Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) and a file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but a decision was made not to proceed with a trial.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	A new investigation has been launched into the same garda member by GSOC over fresh allegations he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl.</p>
<p>
	Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), said the reports were &ldquo;very worrying&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	She told Independent.ie: &ldquo;At the moment these are the most serious allegations in relation to the gardai who are the frontline protectors of our society.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;I am conscious that there is an investigation ongoing and that investigation has to go through because very serious allegations are being made.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	However, she continued: &ldquo;Because the allegations are so serious it is really important that they are investigated thoroughly and speedily.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	The letter from the Department of Justice confirmed that a disciplinary investigation was taken against a senior garda by GSOC.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Independent.ie understands that this was the officer who the woman contacted first by text message shortly after her alleged ordeal.</p>
<p>
	The letter states: &ldquo;A number of breaches of discipline were investigated including failure to secure evidence, including CCTV, mobile phones and clothing, and failure to record the incident on the Garda PULSE system.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The letter says that on foot of this incident a notice was issued to all Chief Superintendents and Superintendents to &ldquo;remind them to adhere to the Garda Siochiana Policy on the Investigation of Sexual Crimes, Crimes against Children and Child Welfare&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	Ms Blackwell said it was a concern that the incident was not logged on PULSE.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Independent.ie has learned that the officer under investigation is currently suspended from An Garda S&iacute;ochana pending the outcome of a GSOC investigation.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Anyone with concerns can contact the Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 778888</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 12th December 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/rape-crisis-centre-demand-thorough-and-speedy-investigation-after-worrying-garda-reports-35288803.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/rape-crisis-centre-demand-thorough-and-speedy-investigation-after-worrying-garda-reports-35288803.html</a></p>
