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JUSTICE MINISTER FRANCES Fitzgerald has told the Dáil that she only found out about the extent of the garda traffic scandal after senior officers held a press conference last week.
Addressing the Dáíl this evening, Fitzgerald said that the Government has decided to commence an independent investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the nearly one million breath tests recorded on the Pulse system which never happened and the thousands of wrongful convictions handed down to drivers.
She said that while she knew of wrongful convictions in June of last year, she was waiting for an internal garda audit to be completed. She said she had no idea about the extent of the scandal.
“Again. I became aware of the 14,700 convictions which took place when An Garda Síochána made them public last week.
“Clearly there is a need for an investigation to hold responsible those people, at all levels of the garda organisation, who allowed such large discrepancies in the breath testing figures to arise.
The Commissioner announced an internal investigation but following consideration at Cabinet today, the Government has decided that there should be an independent investigation.
Relating to the 14,700 wrongful convictions, Fitzgerald said that letters to the affected motorists will be sent from 3 April.
She said that “all fines will be reimbursed and points removed”.
Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesman Jim O’Callaghan asked Fitzgerald that, as Minister for Justice “you have been aware for nine months that people had wrongful convictions made against them and it is my submission you did nothing about it?”
Fitzgerald repeated that she was waiting for the internal garda audit to conclude.
A statement issued on behalf of the Government this evening stated that it is “absolutely essential that a process of reform is rigorously implemented in An Garda Síochána, and that it is seen to be implemented, including through close oversight by the Policing Authority”.
The Government believes the level of public concern is now so profound that it may now be time to conduct a thorough, comprehensive and independent root-and-branch review of An Garda Síochána. That is clearly a proposal that will require further detailed consideration by the Government.
The Policing Authority said it was disappointed “at not being advised in a timely manner” that an audit into the breath test issues was underway.
A spokesperson for the authority said that, despite questioning over several months, they had not yet been provided with the full internal reports or indeed “a clear sense of how these matters have been handled to date”.
They have also requested that information be provided by An Garda Síochána on a range of matters to facilitate the authority by the end of the week. This includes a copy of all existing reports, including audits or examinations on both matters.
While the gardaí are carrying out an internal review, the Government believes that an external investigation into the Mandatory Alcohol Testing and Fixed Charge Notice issues needs to be carried out.
Commissioner O’Sullivan will appear before the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Thursday.
So what is this external review going to look like?
While the exact detail of the independent review is yet to be announced, it is understood the Policing Authority will be involved and could possibly head-up the review.
TheJournal.ie understands the review could be similar to the Patten commission, which led to the establishment of the PSNI in Northern Ireland.
The wide-ranging review in the North resulted in the renaming of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to the PSNI and a new policing board being established.
The external review will look at the most recent scandals, but will also look at the culture within An Garda Síochána and an analysis of garda management.
A government source said the review would not be a “fault-finding process” but will focus on what systemic and cultural changes need to be made.
Any legislation that is needed to establish a review is yet to be determined. No timeframe has been announced.
The review has been described as an “expanded” version of the “root-and-branch review” announced by the Independent Alliance in February.
The Independent Alliance members announced on 15 February that they had secured an independent review of the “wider and more fundamental issues of public concern” in the gardaí.
With reporting by Christina Finn
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Philippines will sort them out in no time
How can other religions move to countries and not cause havoc and mayhem? Can you imagine scientologists blowing up and shooting innocent people? They’d be shut down in a heartbeat so why is the religion of peace tolerated? I’ll tell you why. You’d get labeled a racist by people who hate labels. Can you imagine Jews fighting for Nazi rights just as liberals fight for Islam. This is what happens when you get brainwashed people who swallow mainstream media with an agenda. Wonder why there are no bombings in places like Japan? A tiny Muslim population that’s why. World leaders in common sense and the blindingly obvious.
@SteveW: perhaps tolerated because it is not responsible, it is the social outcast(s) who islamized their radical view, Japan is not immune but western media coverage is more intense here and gives account in English language, you won’t see CNN Japan being tuned into when something happens in Tokyo or anywhere else for that matter
Red not being funny here but what on earth has media coverage or speaking English got to do with anything? What about other countries that have to put up with these large minority”outcasts” you’re defending? Burma, Kashmir, China, Thailand, Kenya, Ceychnya, Phillipines to name a few. And that’s not including Europe and US.
@Red Marauder: it seems like every country islam has settled in there is serious terrorism problem now south Philippines is exploding now into serious violence. south sudan south Thailand nearly all of Africa all across middle east there is major wars going … after watching primtime on RTE tonight on Islamic extremists i am becoming very fearful for my family future and myself and like all other irish people throughout the island of Ireland…..
@Bobby wilson: And that was on RTE , who had an article about everyones favorite troll Katie Hopkins being sacked for saying there is a problem with islam . https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2017/0526/878159-katie-hopkins/
@SteveW: it is simple to install fear you need widespread coverage, so they choose targets which will be in the news, it is repeated everytime, a mall, a concert, twin towers etc, the density of media coverage is highest in Western countries where English is universal
@Remy: everyone can quote the Koran, there is no central regulation, you not need to be a scholar for that, now how you sell it or interpret it is different, there are far more peaceful Muslims than what you hear about in the news
@Red Marauder: ”there are far more peaceful Muslims than what you hear about in the news” . Phew ! Thank god you said that , I was thinking it was the 75% were radical , Thank heavens it’s only the other 25% .
doing some basic math, we get that about 006625% not even close to your estimates
@SteveW: 110%
@Remy: people like you and your ilk are just part of the problem
”Tis gonna be a red Ramadan
This atrocity and outrage will be handled in the Phillipines but it will scare the wits out of us Irish and get us highly exercised.
Many Irish live in fear and terror although we are far from a prime target.
@Tony Daly: I actually can’t think of anyone I know who lives in fear of an ISIS attack. I do know plenty who agree we should do our bit to help those trying to escape the terror of these animals while also protecting ourselves by having proper checks on those entering our country.
@Tony Daly: As far I’m aware no one lives in fear of isis in Ireland , but it’s only right that we examine it’s core ideology . Prime time has a segment on isis in Ireland , which obviously doesn’t exist . Whaaaatt !
@Jane: I am taking lots of the alarmist comments at face value. It could be just posturing of course but after each atrocity the alarmism expressed is voluble and even hysterical.
@Ken Hayden: of course it may just be intentional alarmism and deliberate exaggeration of threat on the part of those who comment on Ireland as a target of ISIS.
I rember the hysterical and emotive comments after previous outrages in Europe predicting Ireland as the next target.
It may just be playing up by those who wish to stir up fear and hate or else the Irish are an especially timid nation.
@Tony Daly: And of course , it just might not be deliberate exaggeration .
It cannot be said enough , not all muslims are terrorists , but in among them , there are people who can be , and are radicalized . Denying there is no threat is not a solution .
@Tony Daly: it’s not fear. Tony or alarmist comments. It’s frustration that the empty vessels that make the most noise ie a small minority of do Gooders that get listened to because they shout racist and the pure frustration at the apologists that are so mind numbingly stupid that they get listened to by policy makers
@Tony Daly: why is their a constant down playing on all this Islamic terrorism across the globe by far left supporters by making out its western countries fault for making Islamic people angry.. Their is attacks on churches in Egypt /Nigeria /Pakistan /Iraq /Syria and many many more soon their will be no more Christians in the middle east except Israel…..
@Bobby wilson: 6 Things that cause islamic terrorism .
Intolerance .
Unemployment .
Poor quality council housing .
Not enough diversity on the BBC .
Islamophobic tweets .
Katie Hopkins .
Things that don’t cause islamic terrorism .
The ancient holy book which promises a blissful eternity in the afterlife for anyone who wages deadly jihad against the infidel .
I’m here in Manila. The chief of cops is on tv saying it was some lad trying to rob chips from the casino. Very much doubt it was ISIS related.
@Richie Kennedy: isis claimed responsibility?
@Jackson Bollovks: When the chips are down .
@Richie Kennedy: any more info Richie? My mum is on Negros at the moment but flying to Manila on Saturday to head home Sunday. Slightly concerned
@Maria ✏️: I’m living in Makati Maria, a city in Metro Manila. No updates but nothing to be concerned about. Might be some heightened security at the airport which is a good thing.
@Maria ✏️: Flights are delayed alright so she could miss a connection. The security in the airport is always tight so I wouldn’t worry too much. It seems to have been a lone gunman trying to steal gambling chips.
@Jackson Bollovks: I’d say they would claim responsibility for anything to sow fear. Doesn’t appear to be a terrorism incident based on the information available.
Casino Royal-Q’aeda
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