Crime victims ‘could sue over garda leaks’

THE State could face massive civil actions from victims of crime claiming their right to privacy had been infringed by garda leaks, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said yesterday.

Mr McDowell said the legal threat followed the ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

"Under ECHR legislation, it will be an actionable tort for organs of the Government including An Garda Síochána to infringe someone's rights," said the minister.