Credibility is key word for Garda Inspectorate

LAST night’s Prime Time investigation again emphasised the need for a powerful and independent body to investigate complaints against gardaí.

However, there’s a real fear that the long-awaited and much-heralded Garda Inspectorate (or Ombudsman, as the office is likely to be known) could be a false dawn.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has placed much political capital on the effectiveness of this new body. In the coming weeks he will publish the Garda Síochána Bill, the draft scheme of which was outlined last summer. However, a variety of interested groups and experts have expressed serious concern that the proposals fall far short of what is required.