Call for reform of closing time

The Garda Síochána Complaints Board has called for a review of the liquor licensing laws and public order issues at closing time, following a large number of complaints against gardaí from people who "frequently are too drunk to remember what happened".

Dr Gordon Holmes, the board's chairman, said the system must be changed because people were getting involved in fights, gardaí were called and then their injuries were blamed on gardaí.

"The trouble from our point of view is that occasionally there may just be something in it and we have to look at them very carefully," he said.

"One of the big problems is that everyone comes on to the streets at the same time. A very surprising number of these cases arises not actually on the streets but in fast-food places where people pick rows with each other," Dr Holmes added.

"We'd better grasp the nettle for once and for all on these issues."

He was speaking at the launch of the board's 2006 annual report by Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan, who said he planned to bring proposals to Government this autumn for a review of the liquor licensing laws.

Mr Lenihan said a new commission on the licensing laws would specifically look at the harmful consequences of alcohol consumption and how legislation could deal with it. All issues, including opening hours and the regulation of off-licences would be looked at, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Holmes questioned the wisdom of members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission publicising the office by giving interviews and writing articles in newspapers.

He said he never gave interviews, apart from at the annual report press conference and a press conference held after the Reclaim the Streets march.

"I don't think that writing articles is helpful when you are ultimately going to be the person who has to make decisions on the matters on which you are writing," he said.

Dr Holmes said the ombudsman commission had to "appear to be balanced and fair and that guards would not think that in any way their case has been pre-judged by an attitude expressed by anybody".

"And no matter who you are, if you are writing an article or giving an interview or anything, you're inclined to give your own opinions on matters and this raises issues when you are subsequently sitting in judgment on those very matters."

He also expressed concern at the ombudsman commission speculating on the number of cases it would receive. A "very large number" of complaints against gardaí were found to be vexatious "and the more publicity that is generated will only lead to more complaints" he said.

In response, a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) spokesman said "the commission has a duty to promote confidence in its operations and of necessity this must involve some engagement with the media and in public discussion".

He said the members of the commission "have consistently stressed the impartiality of GSOC and its mission of seeking to establish truth, based on evidence, legally obtained".