Update on Complaints relating to Covid 19

GSOC has to date (8 June) notified Garda Síochána management of 169 complaints from members of the public in which an aspect of Garda enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions is mentioned as a factor.

The identities of people making these complaints and the identities of gardaí complained of are not included in the information being shared by GSOC with Garda management.

This information is shared to alert Garda management to concerns among the public in relation to the enforcement of restrictions and enables Garda management to address any issues in that area.

GSOC continues to deal with these complaints, assessing them to determine which can be admitted for investigation, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.

The information in the form of anonymised summaries of Covid-related complaints has been sent by GSOC to the Garda Síochána on a regular basis since the Government announced restrictions limiting movement of people on 27 March 2020.

NOTE: This is an update on notice published on 30 April 2020.