GSOC welcomes publication of Garda Anti-Corruption Implementation Plan

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) welcomes publication by Minister for Justice and An Garda Síochána of new implementation plan to counter threat of internal corruption.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has welcomed the publication by An Garda Síochána and the Minister for Justice of a new implementation plan to counter threat of internal corruption.

The plan was published in response to a report by the Garda Inspectorate on “Countering the Threat of Internal Corruption”.

Speaking following the plan’s publication, GSOC commented:

“As Ireland’s policing oversight body, GSOC has a core role in independently investigating complaints and referrals made to us regarding Garda conduct, including allegations and complaints of Garda corruption.

While the independent investigation of such allegations is of paramount importance, so too is the strengthening of internal Garda structures to counter corruption.

The findings of the Garda Inspectorate make clear a range of thematic areas where action needs to be taken. Of particular note is the identification by the Inspectorate of the issue of abuse of power for sexual gain – a matter which has been the subject of significant action to date by An Garda Síochána, and which remains a matter of particular strategic interest to GSOC in the context of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

GSOC welcomes the publication this weekend of a plan to implement the Inspectorate’s recommendations, and looks forward to the development of more robust anti-corruption structures within An Garda Síochána going forward”.

ENDS

Note to editor:

The Garda Síochána/ Department of Justice implementation plan on countering the threat of internal corruption can be found here: Joint Implementation Plan for Garda Síochána Inspectorate Report on Corruption (justice.ie). The Department of Justice press release announcing the plan’s publication can be found here: Minister McEntee publishes action plan to counter threat of internal corruption in An Garda Síochána – The Department of Justice.

The Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence can be found here: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence – The Department of Justice. This strategy’s implementation plan includes reference to GSOC’s statutory remit as an independent oversight body improving “the safety of victims of domestic/ sexual abuse and the policing response through investigation of complaints, including complaints about the adequacy of An Garda Síochána’s response to Domestic Abuse/ Sexual Violence incidents and complaints about members of the Garda service as perpetrators.” It further indicates GSOC’s role to “examine and make recommendations in relation to Garda Síochána policy/practice relating to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, with a view to improving service levels for victims and improve the effectiveness of Garda investigations, and thereby improve confidence in policing. An Garda Síochána will give effect to improvements in policy and practice and in training to respond to GSOC’s findings and recommendations.”

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent oversight agency, which investigates complaints concerning Garda conduct.