ALMOST one in six complaints against the Garda last year resulted in an officer facing disciplinary or legal action, a new report indicates.
The 1995 report of the Garda Siochana Complaints Board shows that, of 1,138 complaints against members of the force handled by the board, 196 led to further action.
Of these, 33 were referred to the Garda Commissioner, nine were handled by a tribunal, and 154 were considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
It was the highest number ever handled by the board, up 8 per cent on the previous year and almost 35 per cent higher than in 1990.
The increase was accounted for by a greater number of complaints from outside Dublin, while complaints from the city area were slightly lower than 1994.
Outside Dublin - which records the highest rate of complaints relative to population size - the Garda divisions of Sligo/ Leitrim, Longford/Westmeath, Galway West and Limerick generated the most complaints.
The board noted an increase in the number of "frivolous or vexatious" complaints during the year. Half the complaints considered were ruled inadmissible, and of those half were deemed vexatious.
Of the admissible complaints, almost half alleged abuse of authority, while discreditable conduct, neglect of duty and discourtesy were the other major categories.
A total of 154 complaints were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who directed a prosecution in only one of these cases.
The report notes that, where an admissible complaint alleges a criminal offence by a garda, it must be referred to the DPP.
The board suggests it be given more discretion to decide which of these complaints should go to the DPP.
Of the cases which went to a tribunal, three hearings found the gardai concerned had not breached discipline. Two complaints were struck out, as the gardai concerned had retired, and in three cases the gardai lost pay ranging from £100 to £500.
The Garda Commissioner's own 1995 report, published earlier this year, shows that, during the year, 11 gardai were suspended from duty, and about £9,000 in fines was levied from members found to have breached procedures.