Ombudsman Commission has appeared before Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality

8 May 2019

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has described as ‘troubling’ the fact that the Garda Síochána continues to conduct criminal investigations of its own members without the knowledge or participation of GSOC.

The practice ‘flies in the face’ of the recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) that all complaints against the Garda Síochána should be routed through the Ombudsman organisation to determine what action needs to be taken.

It also runs the risk of allegations of ‘cover up or bias or corruption’ when it becomes known that such investigations have been carried out internally, GSOC Chairperson Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality today (8 May 2019).

Ms Justice Ring appeared before the Committee alongside fellow commissioners, Mr Kieran FitzGerald and Mr Patrick Sullivan.

(The full text of the GSOC submission to the Committee and the Chairperson’s opening remarks attached below)

 

Title Size Type Last Updated

Opening statement to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality 8 May 2019

GSOC Commission opening statement to Justice & Equality Committee 8th May 2019

102.62 KB pdf 7 May 2019

GSOC Submission to Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality 8 May 2019

GSOC submission to Justice & Equality Committee 8 May 2019

648.13 KB pdf 7 May 2019