Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) investigators are understood to be frustrated with an alleged lack of co-operation by officers with an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Garda Tony Golden's murder.
The impasse, which has involved delays in handing over documents and making witnesses available, has resulted in a six-year delay into the publication of a final report into the interactions between Adrian Crevan Mackin and gardaí prior to him shooting his partner Siobhán Phillips, leaving her with serious injuries, and murdering Garda Golden.
Sources said one of the main reasons behind the delay in completing the report was a lack of garda co-operation.
Without mentioning the Garda, a Gsoc spokeswoman said it is “a complex case, made more complex by the interrelated challenges of Covid, accessing documentation, and securing witness co-operation”.
She said the investigation “remains open and inquiries are ongoing” and that while Gsoc “hopes to conclude its investigation as soon as possible, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion”.
The Phillips family are understood to be eager to receive the final report and have requested an in-person meeting with Gsoc. "It is extremely frustrating we are six years down the line and no further on," Ms Phillips's father Seán told RTÉ.
The Gsoc investigation began in late 2016, a year after the shooting. It is examining matters including if gardaí took proper action to mitigate the risk Mackin posed to Ms Phillips and others and “the extent and nature of the interaction” between him and gardaí.
“Full and timely co-operation of the Garda Síochána and other organisations will be critical to the effectiveness and progress of this important investigation,” said Gsoc in 2016.
Gsoc issued an interim report in 2019, detailing matters of serious concern regarding Mackin’s bail conditions before the shooting.
It said Garda Pulse records and intelligence briefings failed to mention that Mackin may have had access to firearms before the shooting. It also stated that Mackin breached his bail conditions 10 times before the shooting but was not rearrested.
He was on bail having admitted to possession of two handguns and bomb-making components 10 months previously.
Mr Phillips said the interim report left the family with more questions than answers.
Garda Golden, an unarmed, uniformed officer, was killed on October 11th, 2015, when he accompanied Ms Phillips to the house she shared with Mackin in Omeath so she could pick up her belongings.
Ms Phillips had been the subject of severe domestic violence by Mackin and had sought Garda protection. Mackin shot and killed Garda Golden and shot Ms Phillips four times before taking his own life.
Gardaí considered Mackin to be “high risk” and used the elite Emergency Response Unit when initially searching his property due to the likelihood of the presence of firearms or explosives.
Gsoc said it is clear the issue of signing-on procedures for people on bail go “well beyond” the Mackin case and noted there is no one single procedure document instructing gardaí on the matter.
A Garda spokesman declined to comment to the matter, except to say it is “fully committed” to the memorandum of understanding it has with Gsoc.
