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More than 1,100 public complaints filed against gardaí last year

Today’s annual report also reveals information on disciplinary action and deaths in custody.

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA’S complaints unit opened files on 1,197 issues raised by members of the public last year.

Detailed in the force’s annual report, 42 of these were referred on to GSOC.

Just more than 500 complaints were referred from GSOC to the garda commissioner for investigation.

Other issues raised in the Internal Affairs section of today’s report explains that two people died while in garda custody last year.

One of these was a 61-year-old man who was found unconscious behind Buncrana Garda Station in Co Donegal in November last year. The matter is currently being investigated by GSOC.

“On arriving at the garda station, gardaí noticed that Mr Lynch was experiencing difficulty breathing and an ambulance was called. Garda members commenced CPR assisted by members of the fire brigade,” the report reads.

Mr. Lynch subsequently experienced further difficulties, stopped breathing and passed away.

Also under investigation by GSOC is the death of an intoxicated 22-year-old male who was arrested for public order offences in Waterford.

He was found “unresponsive in his cell” in Dungarvan.

Details of monetary sanctions, cautions, warnings and reprimands which can be imposed on officers were also included in the report.

Just one member of the force was sacked, another resigned as an alternative to dismissal, while the service of a member of the Garda Reserve was “dispensed”.

A total of 153 gardaí were disciplined, and €60,920 of monetary penalties imposed.

Garda Reserve, Probationer Gardaí, and Student Gardaí are not include in these figures.

Also in today’s report:

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11 Comments
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    Mute Paul Madden
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 5:05 PM

    How many complaints were frivolous or fictitious? How many people were prosecuted for false claims? All the facts please……..

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    Mute mitch connors
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 4:57 PM

    This means nothing , it’s so easy to make a complaint now especially if you have a grudge against a certain Garda , thanks to Ming , daly & tax evader Wallace our country is full of do gooders where good ppl get kicked , & pay for all the criminals & wasters thru paying tax . Ireland is officially a do good , welfare state .

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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 5:39 PM

    If it wasn’t for Ming et al, Shatter would still be at the helm and there would be no garda reform on the table. I’d be willing to bet the majority of Gardai would like to see reform of the force.

    79
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    Mute Dub157
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 5:19 PM

    Sean, not wearing a seat belt is a serious offence, the amount of fatalities these lads go to because someone didn’t wear their seatbelt. They stop offenders to save lives and because they don’t want to go to a scene where someone’s head is in 3 pieces on the ground.

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    Mute DamoDeMan
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 5:26 PM

    With the advent of smartphones and recording devices
    More people are filming everything
    You will see more and more complaints against Gardai
    The days of a court just taking a Garda’s word for anything are coming to an end
    Some of the captured film of the Shell to sea protest and the Robo cop incident in Dublin
    did not show the Gardai in the best light
    Just look on YouTube
    Some Garda members do not do themselves or their fellow members any favours
    with their actions
    Polices forces all over the world are being watched more closely for abuses of power

    79
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    Mute Sean Seymour
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 5:08 PM

    Since all the pay cuts the cops have had to take, they are being encouraged to do over time to make an extra few pound. Where that overtime comes from is court.
    Any petty crimes that are easy for them to deal with in court (Car tax, NCt, Seatbelts, etc), all minor offences, are what younger inexperienced cops are targetting now so they can fill their overtime hours.
    Not really their fault in a way, but that’s just what the country is coming to.
    The impact going to court has on a normal citizen is far greater than the impact it has on a Garda that goes to court nearly every day. 1 has to get a day off work, pay a solicitor, deal with the stress. Where as it’s no big deal for the Garda. No impact on his day.
    It’s an absolute JOKE!

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    Mute Robbie Forde
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 5:31 PM

    Here’s something for You’s to watch http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nQwpP8gwiz4

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    Mute gary jordan
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 6:25 PM

    What did that chap expect ??? He was asked to move off the road . He didn’t . He was told to move off the road , he didn’t . So the guards moved him . The guards did there job !!

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    Mute Mike O Neill
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 6:32 PM

    Dragging someone along a concrete road on their face is not doing their job.

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    Mute Paddy Kiely
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    Jul 22nd 2014, 4:40 PM

    Thanks

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