Rookie garda found in ditch after car left abandoned on side of M1

Off duty officer suspended after incident

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE Crime and Defence Editor

GARDAI have suspended a rookie member of the force after his car was found abandoned on a major motorway - and he was discovered nearby in a ditch.

We have also learned gardai are now carrying out their own investigation into the incident - but have notified independent policing watchdog Fiosru.

A source told us: "We are trying to get to the bottom of the whole thing."

The force said it notified Fiosru as it deemed it to be a matter of concern. We have also learned the officer, who is in his 30s, was off duty when the incident happened.