
Share
26th July 2018
11:07am BST

Outside the DMR, Limerick and Cork City respectively were the divisions with the highest number of allegations made against Gardaí in 2017.
The number of allegations against Gardaí in Galway, which had the highest number of allegations after DMR West and South Central in 2016, fell significantly in 2017.
A number of detailed complaints were described in the disciplinary investigations category – including several which included the misconduct of an on-duty Garda.
One complaint regarded a Garda smelling of alcohol on the job, another one saw a Garda forget to record the case of a stolen car and another involved a hit-and-run case where failures by a Garda led to the case being thrown out.
A large percentage of the allegations resulted in a discontinuation in the investigation, no breach of the rules found or an allegation being withdrawn.
In cases of discontinuation, GSOC said it was often the case that no independent witness could verify either version of events, or the complaint was deemed to be either irksome or frivolous.
However, confidence in the Garda Síochána appears to be improving, according to a survey published in the report.
High levels of confidence (eight in ten people expressing a lot or some confidence) were expressed in the service’s ability to provide a courteous service, investigate a crime, and respond effectively to requests for assistance in emergency/urgent situations.
Confidence in the Garda Síochána’s ability to deal with complaints against Gardaí has increased significantly from the first survey in December 2013 (40% had a lot or some confidence) and then the February 2018 survey (56% had a lot or some confidence).Explore more on these topics: