AN UNINTENDED consequence of extending the devastating conclusions of the Morris tribunal relating to Garda corruption in Donegal across eight reports is that their overall impact will be diluted.
But make no mistake, Morris has exposed a culture - and associated activities and practices - which runs counter to all that our society expects and demands of the Garda Síochána.
It is hard to conceive of more damning findings: gardaí conducted a prejudiced and negligent investigation into the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron. A confession to his "murder" (he actually died as a result of a hit-and-run) was not obtained voluntarily. Gardaí engaged in harassment. They orchestrated hoax explosive finds and planted evidence. When called to account, they lied or covered up for corrupt colleagues to such an extent that Morris concluded the Garda risked losing its character as a disciplined force amid "staggering indiscipline and insubordination". The Garda Representative Association did not encourage its members to be totally honest and Garda HQ was easily hoodwinked.
Confronted by such damaging findings, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy referred to a dark period in the history of a proud organisation and pointed - correctly - to the many changes that have flowed from the work of the tribunal. Much is different within the Garda itself and the wider network in which it operates. The Garda Ombudsman Commission has succeeded the Garda complaints board which Morris found did not have the power or resources to deal with complaints of the scale that emerged in Donegal. A Garda Inspectorate has been established to assist the force in operating to best international practice and a confidential reporting system has been set up to encourage "whistle-blowing". Farcical disciplinary regulations have been replaced by legislation making it an offence for a garda to refuse to account for his actions while on duty.
These developments have gone some way to restoring public confidence that such blatant wrongdoing is unlikely to recur. And in a broad sense, An Garda Síochána continues to be held in high public regard. But it would be fanciful to suggest that all is well. Change must continue. The Garda authorities must address insidious and deep-rooted practices which damage trust between the Garda and the public every day. These vary in character and seriousness: they range from double-jobbing - where gardaí unashamedly devote their energies to activities outside their police work - to low-level corruption where they abuse their power and authority to curry favour with others or to demand favours for themselves.
As the Garda seeks to move on from the events of Donegal, the commissioner has repeated his apology to those people who were found to have been mistreated. He referred also to the unacceptable actions of a minority of gardaí sometimes being unfairly associated with the majority. In this regard, members of the force must understand that high public standing is not an entitlement. In a society which has learned the hard way to be much more critical of institutional authority, gardaí must earn respect through their actions.