Unlawful arrest costs State €440,000 in legal fees

LEGAL charges for a single action of unlawful arrest cost the State a staggering €440,000, it has emerged.

Awards and settlements in actions taken against the gardaí amounted to just €6,000 of the near €450,000 the State has been forced to pay out so far this year.

The gardaí are currently facing around 750 civil actions alleging assault, unlawful arrest, or other claims of wrongdoing, such as defamation and harassment.