COMPLAINTS FROM the public of assault at the hands of gardaí are being mapped by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) in an effort to identify problematic Garda stations and districts, it has emerged.
One of Gsoc’s three commissioners, Conor Brady, said that while most allegations of assault by gardaí were generally minor they were high in number.
“Our overseas investigators, and we have investigators of eight nationalities, express surprise at the high number of assault allegations.” Generally the complaints did not relate to serious assault or “using violence to pressurise a suspect”. Rather, they mostly related to “heavy handedness” during an arrest or while in Garda custody.
Mr Brady said younger Garda members were more likely to be at the centre of complaints of all varieties, and the problem seemed worse in poorer areas.
The assault allegation trends were being geographically mapped and this data would be presented to the force with a view to putting measures in place that might address any issues.
Commissioners Carmel Foley and Mr Brady said while a small number of people had made repeated complaints – up to 60 in some cases – there was no evidence of individual gardaí being repeatedly targeted vexatiously.
There was also no evidence that gangland figures or other well-known criminals were using the commission to repeatedly target those gardaí investigating them, as some within the force had first feared.
“The number of complaints which we would have from prominent criminals – you’d be talking about a handful,” said Mr Brady. “And we generally recognise the names, of course.”
People “well-known to gardaí” who had lodged complaints generally made allegations relating to being stopped and searched or having their homes searched.
“But nobody has come to us and alleged evidence was planted on them of that they were beaten into signing a confession or that their DNA was manipulated in some way. We’re not fools and we can readily spot repeat complaints or complaints that are vexatious.”
The “vast majority” of the near 4,800 complaints received in the past two years related to allegations of abuse of authority, discourtesy, neglect of duty and assault.
However, the number of complaints per police officer in England and Wales was much higher than in Ireland.
“If we were receiving complaints in the same proportion . . . we’d be having about 4,000 or 4,500 ,” Ms Foley said.
To date some 34 files relating to about 50 Garda members had been sent to the DPP for possible criminal proceedings.
However, both Ms Foley and Mr Brady said the number of convictions against gardaí was not a barometer by which to judge the commission’s effectiveness.
“Some serious cases will inevitably end up in the courts,” said Ms Foley.
“But improving police conduct is achieved in a variety of ways. Gsoc has an educative role and a deterrent role. And we have to work very closely with the gardaí in discharging these.”
