April 2011

Áine Ryan looks back at a dramatic week when the contents of a taped Garda conversation made national and international headlines

THIS COUNTY was put in the media spotlight a week ago for all the wrong reasons when The Mayo News dramatically revealed the contents of a tape, inadvertently recorded in a garda jeep after two female Corrib gas protestors were arrested.

THE GARDA Commissioner has praised the work of gardaí involved in policing the Corrib gas project.

In a comment on the controversy over remarks allegedly made by gardaí in relation to raping a female protester, Mr Callinan said the force had been doing a satisfactory and professional job over a number of years.

Mr Callinan said that it was “important to put things in perspective”.

Five Mayo gardaí at the centre of an independent investigation into the Corrib 'rape tape' controversy have been banned from any dealings with the public until it is completed. Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan issued an order confining the five to indoor administrative duties at Castlebar station.
He apologised over the remarks made by gardaí who are alleged to have joked about raping and deporting a woman arrested at a protest against Shell's Corrib gas pipeline.

Our beautiful county of Mayo was in the headlines this week for all the right reasons and all the wrong reasons. It was a week of great jubilation, but the county was also shrouded in scandal and controversy.

The visit by Prince Albert of Monaco and his stunningly beautiful fiancée Charlene Wittstock to Newport on Wednesday evening gave a massive boost to the local community who are extremely proud of their links with the late Princess Grace.