Reports to Garda complaint body up 10%

A RECORD number of complaints were received by the Garda Síochána Complaints Board last year largely due to alleged brutality by officers during riots at the “Reclaim the Streets” rally on Dublin’s Dame Street.

A total of 1,405 complaints were made to the board last year, including 41 relating to the Mayday protests an increase of almost 10% on the number of complaints in 2001.

The board also decided there was no breach of discipline by officers in 413 out of 444 complaints it ruled on last year. Just over half of all complaints (706) were deemed inadmissible.