Garda arrested over alleged banana harassment of fellow officer with phobia

Gardai have arrested a serving member of the force – on suspicion of harassing another officer with bananas, it has emerged. The Mirror has learned that the male officer was arrested in the west of Ireland as part of a long running investigation.

We have established the Garda was arrested before being questioned for several hours – before being released without charge over the alleged harassment. Although he was not charged, sources have confirmed that investigators are set to send a file on their probe to the Director of Public Prosecutions – who will decide if the officer will face any criminal sanction.

The arrest, which happened in recent weeks, is the culmination to a Garda probe that has been going on for more than a year. We reported in October last year that a probe was underway – and now we have confirmed that the officer was arrested.

Sources said that it is likely the DPP will direct no prosecution – but the officer may face internal Garda disciplinary measures.

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The Mirror has established that the officer is alleged to have tormented a female Garda with bananas – after learning she had a phobia of the fruit. It’s alleged he used bananas as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment and stalking against the female officer.

The criminal probe is also examining an allegation of criminal damage against the Garda, who has not been suspended. That relates to an alleged incident in which it is claimed he broke into the female officer’s locker at a west of Ireland Garda station as part of his campaign of harassment against her.

We have established that the alleged campaign of harassment against the female officer is alleged to have lasted more than two years. It’s understood the pair knew each other, but it is claimed the female officer did not want a relationship with the suspect and he is then alleged to have begun harassing her over a lengthy period.

He is alleged to have begun pestering the woman by bombarding her with text messages – as well as allegedly making derogatory comments to her in front of colleagues. Sources claim the alleged harassment ramped up when he became aware of her banana phobia.

It’s claimed he regularly left bananas in Garda cars that he knew the female officer would be using – as well as in rooms in the station itself.

At one stage, a more senior officer brought the Garda into an office to speak to him about his alleged behaviour – but it's claimed he had a banana on his head the whole time the meeting took place.

Gardai confirmed last night that an officer in the north western region had been arrested as part of a criminal investigation, but declined to make any further comment.

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