Garda suspended after allegedly trying to hire dark web hitman to murder ex-partner
A major garda investigation is underway into an alleged attempt by a garda to hire an assassin on the dark web to murder his former partner.
The extraordinary case – which has shocked experienced officers in An Garda Síochána – appears to have been uncovered when foreign intelligence agencies spotted the request on the underground internet.
It is understood they made contact with Garda HQ and an investigation was set up.
The Garda Anti-Corruption Unit — which was set up under current commissioner Drew Harris — was assigned the investigation.
The garda, based in Dublin, has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, which garda sources have described as 'extremely serious' not just for the individual but also for the organisation.
A statement issued by Garda HQ confirmed the investigation was underway: 'As part of an ongoing investigation by the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit into alleged serious criminality, a garda based in Dublin is suspended.'
Details of the case, first revealed in the Irish Independent, allege that the garda sought a person on the dark web, purporting to offer criminal services, to set fire to a house in which the officer's former partner lived.
It is further alleged that payments, in the form of bitcoin, were made.
But the alleged conspiracy unravelled after the man being hired took the money and shut down contact.
Dark web
It is understood that the communications were spotted by a police or intelligence agency in Europe, which in turn informed An Garda Síochána.
Certain EU member states have police and intelligence agencies that have the necessary resources and technology to monitor the dark web, or particularly activities on it.
Criminal services include the purchase of firearms, illegal drugs, counterfeit money, stolen data, cyber attack software, and the hiring of hitmen.
Once Garda HQ assessed the information the matter was passed on to the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation.
It is understood that a search was carried out in which digital devices associated with the garda in question were taken away for forensic examination.
The garda was suspended from duty but is not thought to have been arrested yet.
Investigators will gather and examine all the digital evidence before seeking to question the garda.
"The allegations just boggle the mind," one security source said. "You think you have heard it all, then this."
When Commissioner Harris set up the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit, he said there was no reason why Ireland should be any different to other European countries when it came to corrupt and criminal activities of a small number of individual police officers.
He said a proactive unit was needed to tackle it.
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