The Minister for Justice should take immediate steps to ensure allegations of sexual harassment at the Garda training college in Templemore are properly dealt with, Fine Gael's spokesman on justice, Mr Jim O'Keeffe TD, has said.
He was "extremely disturbed" by reports in the media which suggested a number of female students at the college had made allegations of sexual harassment. An inquiry should be established immediately, and should be conducted in an open and transparent manner.
While he understood guidelines were in place with regard to sexual harassment and bullying, these did "not specifically cover the situation of student gardaí, where specific issues of abuse of authority could arise".
A Garda spokesman confirmed allegations of sexual harassment had been made at the college. The matter was the subject of an internal Garda disciplinary inquiry which was still ongoing. She declined to comment any further.
A spokeswoman for Mr McDowell said the matter was being investigated by the Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy.
