Gardaí jailed after GSOC inquiries

Six gardaí and one civilian were convicted of offences last year following investigations by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission…

Six gardaí and one civilian were convicted of offences last year following investigations by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

Two of the gardaí were given custodial sentences.

The figures are contained in the commission's annual report for 2011, which was published today in Dublin.

The commission investigated a total of 2,275 complaints, containing 6,230 allegations of misconduct, against members of the Garda Síochána.

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Some 54 sanctions were applied by the Garda Commissioner against members of the force.

The commission closed 2,544 complaints in 2011, more than was received during the year.

In keeping with previous years, the single most common complaint against gardaí was that of abuse of authority, which accounted for 39 per cent. Neglect of duty accounted for 26 per cent of complaints, 12 per cent related to alleged discourtesy and 11 per cent referred to non-fatal offences against the person.

GSOC received 90 referrals from the Garda Commissioner during 2011, of which 23 related to fatalities. Referrals occur where the commissioner suspects the conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a member of the public.

Forty-six referrals received during 2011 related to road traffic incidents and 20 per cent related to deaths in Garda custody.

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Iriseoir agus Eagarthóir Gaeilge An Irish Times. Éanna Ó Caollaí is The Irish Times' Irish Language Editor, editor of The Irish Times Student Hub, and Education Supplements editor.