Panel of barristers to examine 282 complaints against gardaí
By Mary Regan, Irish Examiner political reporter
Some 282 complaints about gardaí made by victims, their families, whistleblowers and TDs will be examined by an independent panel of barristers, the Justice Minister told the Dáil.
Frances Fitzgerald confirmed that those who made the complaints will not be interviewed by the seven barristers appointed to carry out the process, which will involve an examination of the papers relating to each case.
The independent review mechanism was established to deal with a raft of complaints about misconduct by members of the Garda Siochána in light of publicity surrounding complaints by the garda whistleblower, Maurice McCabe.
Many of the complaints came directly to the offices to the Justice Minister, the Taoiseach or other members of the Oireachtas.
The Justice Minister told the Dáil that the panel may decide to refer the complaints to a Commission of Investigation or be the subject of a statutory inquiry, or can be referred back to the Garda Commissioner for a disciplinary investigation.
Fianna Fáil’s Justice spokesperson, Niall Collins, said those who made complaints should be given an opportunity to be interviewed or meet face to face with the barristers investigating their cases.
