A majority of voters retain confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the Garda Síochána but a substantial minority have no confidence in the force, according to an Irish Times TNS/mrbi opinion poll. Some 58 per cent have confidence in the force, 37 per cent have no confidence and 5 per cent have no opinion, according to the poll, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent
A majority of people in the 18-24 age group do not have confidence that the Garda carries out its role in a fair and impartial manner. Dubliners are almost evenly divided on the issue, while confidence in the force is lowest among younger people, urban dwellers and the less well-off C2DE social group.
The poll was taken among a national quota sample of 1,000 electors at 100 sampling points in all 42 Dáil constituencies throughout the State last Monday and Tuesday. It follows considerable publicity regarding incidents of Garda misbehaviour and Government plans to introduce a new procedure for dealing with complaints against gardaí.
There is strong support for the idea that the proposed independent inspectorate to investigate complaints against the Garda should have full powers of search and arrest. Some 86 per cent believe it should have such powers, just 7 per cent that it should not, and 7 per cent have no opinion. The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, is expected to propose that the inspectorate have such powers when he publishes the Garda Bill shortly.
In the 18-24 age group, 40 per cent have confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the Garda, 54 per cent do not and 5 per cent have no opinion.
Confidence in the force rises steadily among older age groups. Of those aged over 65, 74 per cent have confidence in the force, just 22 per cent do not, and 4 per cent have no opinion. In Dublin 48 per cent have confidence in the force, 46 per cent do not and 7 per cent have no opinion. The highest confidence in the Garda is to be found in Munster, where 68 per cent have confidence in the force, 27 per cent do not and 5 per cent have no opinion.
Farmers are the social group with the highest regard for the Garda: 71 per cent of farmers have confidence in the force, 22 per cent do not and 6 per cent have no opinion.