Garda Síochána apologises to family for raid mistake

AN Garda Síochána has apologised to five members of a Galway family who claimed they were assaulted and imprisoned in their own home after their house was raided by mistake in a search for drugs.

The Walsh family, parents Kathleen and James, their three adult children Garry, Seamus and Carmel, of Cregmore, Claregalway, brought an action seeking damages against the Justice Minister, the Garda Commissioner, Ireland and the Attorney General for false imprisonment and assault.

Their action arose out of what they claimed was unlawful entry by members of An Garda Síochána to their home on March 4, 2008. The High Court yesterday heard the case had been resolved mainly on confidential terms.

An apology was read to the court on behalf of counsel for commissioner, Paul Greene, who said “the actions of An Gardaí Síochána on the night in question are sincerely regretted”.

“An Garda Síochána wish to take this opportunity to express its sincere regret to Kathleen, James, Seamus, Carmel and Garry Walsh regarding the incident that occurred at their home in March 2008.

“The Garda Síochána acknowledges that the Walsh family are all of impeccable character, upstanding and law-abiding citizens,” counsel said.

“The Garda wholeheartedly acknowledges the stress, humiliation and trauma that they individually and as a family suffered on the night of March 4, 2008, and in subsequent newspaper and radio coverage in or about March 30, 2008.”

The Walsh family said they were “very happy the matter had been resolved to their satisfaction”.