The Garda Síochána have paid over €6 million in compensation for breaking citizens' rights in the past five years, according to official statistics obtained by Labour justice spokesman Mr Joe Costello.
The vast majority of the claims against gardaí for assault, unlawful arrest or other breach of citizens' rights were settled out of court, the Labour TD said.
Of the €6.08 million worth of payouts, only €246,197 or 4 per cent, represents awards made in court. The balance is made up of out-of-court settlements and legal costs.
Mr Costello said the high lelvel of out-of-court settlements suggests a policy designed "to minimise negative publicity for the force".
The figures, obtained form the Department of Justice in response to a Dáil question show:
- €2.7 million (44.6 per cent) paid in out-of-court settlements
- €3.1 million (51.4 per cent) paid in costs arising from court cases and out-of-court settlements
- €1.3 million (21.4 per cent) in respect of assaults by members of the gardaí
- €1.04 million (17 per cent) in respect of unlawful arrests
- €3.74 million (61 per cent) in respect of unspecified breaches of citizens' rights
"These are alarming figures and suggest a far wider problem in regard to abuses by the gardaí than had previously been realised," Mr Costello said.
He called on the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, and Garda Commissioner Mr Pat Byrne to make a statement indicating the action they will take to deal with what Mr Costello says "appears to be a serious breakdown of discipline and order within some sections of the force".
He is also calling for details of disciplinary action taken by the authorities against the gardaí responsible.
He said the figures emphasise the neeed for the early introduction of a Garda Ombudsman and the establishment of an Independent Garda Authority to ensure "proper accountability".