Commenting on the allegations, the Garda press office last night issued a short statement: “On the 7th December, 2011, allegations were made to the district officer at Belmullet that alcohol was distributed to members of An Garda Síochána on behalf of Shell E&P. Inquiries conducted in relation to these allegations found no evidence of alcohol being distributed to members of An Garda Síochána by, or on behalf of, Shell E&P.”
See what they did there?
Amazed at headlines in Irish papers. Observer article made specific point re response from Shell & Gardaí being “no evidence”, but no denial
— Rossa McMahon (@rossamcmahon) August 12, 2013
That’s both the @IrishTimes and the Indo denying things for the police they found themselves unable to deny themselves.
— Simon McGarr (@Tupp_Ed) August 12, 2013
Garda says no evidence of Corrib alcohol being distributed (Tim O’Brien, Irish Times)
Gardai deny gas firm gave them alcohol worth €35k (Paul Melia, Irish Independent)
Earlier: A Limerick A Day
Previously: Shell Gave €35,000 Of Alcohol To Belmullet Gardaí
File pic: Gardai on the beach at Glengal, Co Mayo, in 2009