The ICCL has commented on the final annual report of the Garda Síochána Complaints Board, which was released today.
The report details the Board’s operations in 2007 during which time it handed over the receipt of complaints to the newly-created Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The report acknowledges the historical limitations to the Board’s functions, and underlines the wider legislative and institutional remit of the new Commission for handling complaints independently.
In this connection, the Board’s Chairman Dr Gordon Holmes pointed out the disappointing fact that “the Commission, with their many resources, are now seeking to have minor matters investigated by the Gardaí themselves – the very criticism that was levelled against the Board in the past”.
Commenting on the launch of the Garda Complaints Board final annual report, Tanya Ward, Acting Director of the ICCL said:
“If we are to learn anything from the Garda Complaints Board experience, it is that complaints against the Gardaí must be investigated independently.
Due to a backlog of cases and inadequate funding, the new Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is now considering “leasing back” the investigation of complaints to the Garda Commissioner.
It is of serious concern that after waiting nearly 20 years for a fully independent Garda complaints body, not all complaints may be fully independently investigated.”
The ICCL is calling on the Government to provide full and adequate funding to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to allow it to investigate all complaints against the Gardaí independently.