Judge says Garda computer system has 'collapsed'

The Garda computerised database, PULSE, has collapsed, and gardaí have been forced to handwrite important court documents such as charge sheets, a District Court judge has claimed.

Judge John Neilan told Mullingar District Court: "Gardaí have to rewrite all the new charges. They are telling me PULSE has collapsed. If that's the case, somebody has to take the blame."

The comments come at a time when gardaí inputting data on to the PULSE system are experiencing difficulties because the system is slow and prone to breaking down completely.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has described it as "far too slow and cumbersome to use".

However, a spokesman at the Garda Press Office said that, while problems had been encountered with the compuer system, these difficulties were quickly rectified.

In An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan 2005 one area of review earmarked for the next 12 months is the possible use of retired members to input data on to PULSE, thus allowing serving members to concentrate on front line duties.

The Assistant Commissioner, Mr Nacie Rice, has been asked by the Commissioner to review if retired members could be retained on a contract basis.

The PULSE (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) computer system allows gardaí across the country to share information on crimes and offenders.

Details of all crimes are entered on to the system by gardaí. This information can theoretically then be accessed by all members of the force.