Garda ombudsman’s office ‘must have teeth’

THE man responsible for overseeing the setting up of the new three-person police Ombudsman Commission here last night said some of their powers were “nonsense” because they would have to get permission to enter a garda station.

Senator Maurice Hayes said he would prefer the Northern model of a single ombudsman for the gardaí rather than the three person Ombudsman Commission proposed by Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

The minister has named Mr Hayes as chairman of the body that will oversee the implementation of the new garda bill which contains the proposals. Mr Hayes said it is not clear who would make final decisions in the three-person Ombudsman Commission.