Garda watchdog seeks extra €1m for penalty points inquiry

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has asked the Department of Justice for an additional €1 million to take on contract staff to help with their investigation into allegations around the termination of penalty points.

Briefing notes prepared by officials in the Department of Justice for Minister Frances Fitzgerald on her appointment show that GSOC requested additional funding having made clear the organisation “could not handle such an extensive investigation without additional resources”.

Referrals

The briefing documents also warn there is likely to be an increase in referrals of cases to GSOC more generally and this will also have resource implications.

A spokeswoman for the commission confirmed last night that GSOC had made a “business case” for the allocation of additional resources after the matter was referred to the organisation on January 28th last, adding that “negotiations are ongoing”.

A spokeswoman for the department said discussions were continuing in relation to the resource requirements of GSOC. Concerns over the termination of penalty points were first raised by Garda Sgt Maurice McCabe more than two years ago.

The gardaí have been asked to shed 156 staff by the end of the year.