THE GARDA COMMISSIONER HAS RECEIVED A REPORT INTO ALLEGATIONS THAT GARDAI THREATENED TO RAPE ONE OF TWO FEMALE PROTESTERS ARRESTED IN NORTH MAYO LAST WEEK.

THE FILE WAS HANDED OVER AFTER AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION INTO CLAIMS THAT GARDAI JOKED ABOUT DEPORTING AND RAPING ONE OF THE WOMEN ARRESTED A CORRIB GAS PROTEST IN AUGHOOSE.

THE GARDA COMMISSIONER MARTIN CALLINAN IS EXPECTED TO REVIEW THE REPORT AND CONSULT WITH SENIOR OFFICERS BEFORE ASSESSING POSSIBLE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES.

BOTH WOMEN AT THE CENTRE OF THE ALLEGATIONS WILL MAKE PRIVATE STATEMENTS ON THE AFFAIR TO THE GARDA OMBUDSMAN LATER.

ONE OF THE WOMEN HAS ALSO BEEN SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN TODAY ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE.

JERRIE ANN SULLIVAN - SAYS THE WORDS USED BY THE GARDAI HAVE CAUSED DEEP DISTRESS.

MEANWHILE, DETAILS HAVE EMERGED OF AN INCIDENT IN 2006 DURING WHICH A GARDA IS ALLEGED TO HAVE MADE SEXUALLY ABUSIVE REMARKS TO A PROTESTOR IN BELLINABOY.

SHELL TO SEA IS NOW CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY INTO THE POLICING OF PROTESTS AGAINST THE CORRIB GAS PROJECT.