Five reports and counting but criticisms of the gardaí are the same

IF the language used in the latest Morris Tribunal reports sounded familiar, it’s because many of the comments and criticisms made by Mr Justice Frederick Morris also featured in his first report two years ago.

Indiscipline, dishonesty, lack of protection for the whistleblower and the need for wide-ranging reforms are common themes running through all five of the tribunal chairman’s hefty publications.

The temptation is to conclude that little has happened over that period to make the changes so urgently implored by Justice Morris and backed by Justice Minister Michael McDowell.