More whistleblower type Garda cases out there, says chief whip

The Garda audit called for by the Policing Authority would reveal new cases similar to those exposed by whistleblowers, Government Chief Whip Regina Doherty has said.

Asked if she thought an audit would turn up other cases in other policing districts, Ms Doherty said: “Absolutely.’’

She said on Sunday on RTÉ One's The Week in Politics it would not be a question of setting up commissions of inquiry into every policing district in the State.

“I think this probably should be a role for the Policing Authority, particularly for internal issues,’’ she added.

There had to be a mechanism whereby gardaí with genuine concerns could go to somebody other than colleagues, she said.

“Otherwise we will have commissions coming out of our ears and one will just feed into the next, with probably no impact,’’ she said.

Ms Doherty said she was working on a case where a garda felt there was nobody to investigate issues he had raised.

‘More help’

She expressed confidence that the operation of a “mini’’ Criminal Assets Bureau in Dublin’s north inner city would be effective in dealing with gangland crime.

Young criminals wearing €40,000 watches and driving €150,000 cars had to have their assets seized, she added.

She said the Garda had "wins'' since the Regency Hotel killing. "The Garda intelligence is nearly spot-on, but they do need more help,'' she added.