Rights body to combat abuses by gardaí

A TOP-LEVEL human rights committee is to be set up in the Garda Síochána to combat racism within the force as well as abuses against civilians by gardaí.

The decision to set up the Garda Human Rights Advisory Committee comes on the back of a highly critical report by a European inspectorate.

A Garda spokesman said the committee would be chaired by a senior officer, possibly a deputy commissioner, who would report to the commissioner. It would oversee education and training in relation to racial and human rights issues and would investigate instances of racism and abuse. Civilians and human rights experts are expected to sit on the committee, which is to be set up “at the earliest opportunity”.