Minister for Justice Simon Harris has responded after a GSOC officer resigned after being confronted over their alleged attendance at a party organised to celebrate the acquittal of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch for the Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne.
The Monk walked free from court last week after the three-judge Special Criminal Court found him not guilty of the murder in 2016.
Sources say a party was held at a property in Dublin on Monday to celebrate Hutch’s release from prison and was allegedly attended by close friends and family members of Hutch, who spent the past year and a half in Wheatfield Prison.
Read More: Gerry Hutch may never face new Regency attack charge, gardai believe
The officer, who has worked with GSOC for many years, is alleged to have attended this party - in what has been viewed as a massive conflict of interest.
Sources say the officer was even searched and had their official phone taken from them during the week, as GSOC launched a probe. The officer has since resigned.
In a statement on Saturday, the Minister for Justice Simon Harris said: "This is a serious matter which needs to be investigated. That investigation is being considered by GSOC, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it at this time.
"I have requested a report from the Chairperson of GSOC, which I expect to receive in the coming days.
"I will say that GSOC has a vital role in upholding confidence in policing in Ireland, and it is incredibly important that public confidence in GSOC be maintained."
After the Irish Mirror broke the story on Friday evening, GSOC issued a new statement confirming an internal probe into the matter.
“GSOC became aware in recent days of a potential conflict of interest involving a staff member.
"GSOC immediately commenced an internal investigation into the matter.
"The officer concerned has now submitted their resignation and GSOC’s investigation is ongoing.
"GSOC has no further comment at this time.”
It is understood the now-resigned GSOC officer was part of the investigation into the death of Detective Superintendent Colm Fox, who was the lead investigator into the murder of David Byrne at Dublin’s Regency Hotel in 2016.
Det Sup Fox died in a horrific tragedy in Ballymun Garda Station in 2019.
Gardai are also understood to have been made aware of the claims about the GSOC officer's alleged attendance at the party for Hutch.
The claims come after the Monk walked out the main doors of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday - now a free man.
Incredibly, in spite of the threat to his life and his extremely high profile, he has remained in Ireland for the time being.
And after dramatic pictures and video of him emerging from the courts in Dublin with a lengthy beard and long hair on Monday - Hutch has now shaved off both.
He now sports a freshly clean-shaven face and a short haircut, which he clearly got in the hours after he sensationally walked free - having served over a year in Wheatfield Prison on remand.
It comes as pals of The Monk had claimed that he did indeed intend to stay in Dublin for a few days to celebrate his 60th birthday and his release, before jetting off to the sun.
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