The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has been unable to bring a single protected disclosure investigation to a satisfactory conclusion because of chronic understaffing, according to its chair, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring.

The judge at the helm of the Garda Ombudsman has said GSOC has at times been “left adrift in a sea of legislative sludge without a paddle”, and looked forward to members of an Oireachtas committee “taking on the role of the O’Donovan brothers” and paddling the watchdog to clearer waters.

The protracted Garda Ombudsman investigation into a complaint by Ian Bailey of garda wrongdoing is expected to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the coming months.