Gardaí are to review 200 unsolved killings as part of a new crime investigation plan to be unveiled today by Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.
The wide-ranging package will see new investigative units and senior posts established as well as enhanced training programmes and the establishment of dedicated teams of gardaí trained in interviewing "special victims".
Informed Garda sources said the measures come in response to many of the findings of the Morris tribunal, while others follow recommendations by a number of recently established expert agencies, including the Garda Inspectorate.
"They're not in response to any one thing, more an effort to respond to the changing climate," said one officer.
The estimated 200 unsolved homicides will be reviewed by a new "cold case" squad, or serious crime review team.
The small team has already been in operation for some months within the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the force's serious crimes squad. News of its establishment is already known but the number of planned "cold case" reviews to be undertaken was not known.
The Irish Times understands that while many of the unsolved killings are linked to gangland crime, others occurred in random street attacks or in domestic situations.
The majority occurred over the last decade.
The new special victim interviewers are being introduced to aid Garda investigating teams in the interviewing of people under 14 years, as well as victims with special needs, and rape and sexual assault victims.
The force has been criticised for its lack of personnel with specialist skills for dealing with sex assault victims.
Other measures include:
New posts of senior investigating officer, incident room co-ordinators, and forensic collision investigators.
A "major investigation management system" has been developed to help manage computer and database elements of key investigations.
The number of detectives across the State is to be increased at all ranks in an effort to bolster the force's crime-solving capabilities.
There will be an additional 21 detective inspector ranks. These will be allocated on the basis of one per Garda district in the Dublin metropolitan area and one per Garda division in the regions. Currently there is a shortfall of detective inspectors, particularly outside the cities of Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
More detective superintendents will also be appointed, with one per Garda district in the Dublin metropolitan area and one per Garda division in the regions.
Other key changes to be unveiled include the introduction of pre-screening and competency-based interviewing for selection of personnel for detective positions at garda and sergeant level.
Currently the system of promotion to detective garda and detective sergeant rank operates on a more ad-hoc basis, with recommendations from senior officers playing a significant role in promotions.
In the area of training, a new "crime training facility" is being established at the Garda College, Templemore, Co Tipperary, to train officers responsible for the management of investigations into serious crime.
