New legislation to make gardaí accountable for actions
Under new legislation which came into effect today, gardaí will have to account for all of their actions on duty.
The stipulation has been written into legislation to reform the force following publication of the second Morris Tribunal report.
Mr Justice Morris criticised the failure of some officers to answer reasonable questions about their movements during his investigation into scandals in Donegal.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell said it applied to all ranks from commissioner to the newest recruits.
“If you are called on to account for how you have or have not discharged your duty, you have a clear and unambiguous duty to respond and to give a full account,” he said.
The Garda Representative Association said it was concerned about aspects of the new law. President Dermot O'Donnell suggested the obligation on officers to account for their actions on duty may be unconstitutional.
