Press Release, for immediate release
8 April 2011
Two leading groups campaigning for environmental and social justice have called upon the State’s Garda watchdog to broaden its enquiries into facts disclosed by the Corrib Garda “rape-tape”.
Friends of the Earth and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) have sent a joint letter to the Chair of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), Mr Dermot Gallagher, requesting that GSOC conduct a “root and branch” review of Garda practices, policies and procedures on public order.
The text of the letter which has been released by the groups today (8 April 2011) is attached.
Commenting on this development, ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:
“We welcome the Garda Commissioner’s apology for the conduct of the Garda members recorded on the Corrib Garda “rape tape” and await with interest the outcome of the Garda Ombudsman Commission’s ongoing inquiry into these events. However, the transcript of the tape also discloses worrying gaps in the knowledge of Garda members about the legitimate means that may be used when policing public order events and about the ways in which they may be held accountable for their actions. We believe that these issues would be best addressed by a root and branch review of public order policing by GSOC. ”
Director of Friends of the Earth, Mr Oisín Coghlan, said:
“It is encouraging that Minister Shatter has indicated he is ‘open’ to considering a review by the Garda Ombudsman of public order policing. The authorities have moved quickly to assure women they can still have confidence in how the Gardaí handle rape cases. The Government needs to be able to assure all citizens that if they or their sons or daughters have cause to protest they will be treated with professionalism and respect by Gardaí. An Ombudsman’s review of how the Gardaí handle protests and protesters would be a good first step.”
ENDS
Mr Kelly and Mr Coghlan are available for interview and further comment.
For more information, please contact:
Walter Jayawardene
Irish Council for Civil Liberties
9-13 Blackhall Place
Dublin 7
Ireland
Tel. + 353 1 799 4504
Mob: +353 87 9981574
E-mail: info@iccl.ie
NOTE TO EDITOR:
The text of the joint letter sent yesterday from Friends of the Earth and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties to the Chair of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), Mr Dermot Gallagher:
Mr Dermot Gallagher
Chair
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
150 Abbey Street Upper
Dublin 1
7 April 2011
Dear Mr Gallagher,
Request for an Examination of Practices, Policies and Procedures of the Garda Síochána
We are writing to you on behalf of Friends of the Earth and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties to request that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission make use of its statutory functions under sections 67(2)(f) and 106 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
As you know, section 67(2)(f) of the 2005 Act assigns to the Ombudsman Commission the function to examine practices, policies and procedures of the Garda Síochána in accordance with section 106 of the Act. Section 106 provides that, “for the purpose of preventing complaints arising in relation to a practice, policy or procedure of the Garda Síochána or of reducing the incidence of such complaints”, the Ombudsman Commission may recommend to the Minister that it examine particular Garda practices, policies or procedures.
In July 2007, the Ombudsman Commission wrote to the Minister concerning a possible examination under section 106 of the 2005 Act of the management of incidents of crowd protest or civil disobedience by groups or persons. The Minister, following discussions with the Ombudsman Commission, did not feel that it was appropriate at that time for him to request such an examination.
Since July 2007, the Ombudsman Commission has continued to receive a high volume of complaints relating to the practices, policies and procedures employed by the Garda Síochána in the management of incidents of crowd protest or civil disobedience by groups or persons. Recent reports suggest that more than 110 formal complaints have been made against Gardaí carrying out policing functions in connection with the Corrib Natural Gas Project at Bellanaboy Bridge in County Mayo. Moreover, the transcript of the audio recording which forms part of the evidence in the section 102(4) investigation announced by the Ombudsman Commission on 5 April 2011 suggests that some Gardaí remain uncertain about the legitimate means that may be used when policing public order events and about the extent to which they may be held accountable for their actions.
In these circumstances, our organisations request that the Ombudsman Commission once again make use of its statutory functions under sections 67(2)(f) and 106 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to recommend to the Minister that it examine the practices, policies and procedures employed by the Garda Síochána in the management of incidents of crowd protest or civil disobedience by groups or persons.
We note, in this respect, that the Minister has indicated in public comments that he is “open” to receiving such a suggestion from the Ombudsman Commission.
Our organisations consider that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a vital role to play in holding the Garda Síochána to account, including through section 106 reviews of practices, policies and procedures.
We very much hope that the Ombudsman Commission will feel able to respond positively to this request and look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Oisín Coghlan Mark Kelly
Director Director
Friends of the Earth Irish Council for Civil Liberties
9 Upper Mount St 9-13 Blackhall Place
Dublin 2 Dublin 7