The body representing Garda sergeants and inspectors has criticised the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission for its handling of complaints against members of the force following clashes with protesters against the Corrib gas pipeline in June 2007.
President of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) Paschal Feeney said some 68 members of the force were each served with 12 complaints following a protest on June 11th, 2007, even though many of them never even reached the scene on the day.
Speaking at the Agsi’s annual conference in Athlone, Co Westmeath, Mr Feeney said the organisation had “no problem whatever with a system for dealing with complaints against gardaí as long as such a system is fair to all involved – to both complainants and to gardaí”.
But he said he had to “seriously question” the procedures adopted by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) for serving notices on members who had “no involvement whatever in the particular incident which gave rise to the complaint or complaints”.
He cited the protest at Pollathomas pier in north Mayo on June 11th 2007.
“Initially two sergeants and 16 gardaí were present at the site. A disturbance arose however and reinforcements had to be called for. A total of 68 gardaí were detailed to attend. Some were on their way to the scene; others had arrived but had no involvement whatever with the disturbances when they ceased and the members were stood down,” Mr Feeney said.
He said the GSOC subsequently served notices of 12 complaints on all 68 members, which he said was “carrying things to ridiculous lengths”.
“Many of these members who received the notices never reached the scene. Many had no involvement with the general public at that location at all.”
Mr Feeney said it was “simply disgraceful” that 68 gardaí were served with notices of 12 complaints each, when many of them “could not possibly have done anything to be complained about”.
“Those members fear that they will have that record, in the offices of GSOC, until their service ceases and that record could be resurrected against them at any time – even though they could not possibly be guilty of any action which would give rise to a complaint.”
Responding, the GSOC said it did not wish to get into too much detail on any individual complaint or incident, being mindful that there were members of the public involved on the day in question as well as the gardaí to whom Mr Feeney had made reference.
A spokesman said “several complaints” had been received by the GSOC following the incident.
“In order to investigate those complaints, GSOC sought, as is normal practice, to interview any witnesses who might have had information that would assist the investigation.
“A first step was to establish what gardaí were on duty at the scene at the time. GSOC asked the Garda Síochána and were told who was on duty.
“The gardaí on duty were then written to and asked if they could provide any assistance to the investigation. Their involvement with the investigation was largely as witnesses. This approach is part of the normal routine of any investigation.”
The spokesman said the “great majority” were exonerated of any misbehaviour and their involvement as witnesses with the investigation was “brief”.
“This was a fair, proportionate, and thorough approach to the investigation of the incident in question,” the spokesman added.