Juries ‘very reluctant’ when gardaí on trial

THERE is little point putting gardaí before juries as they are often acquitted of their crimes, a member of an independent complaints body claimed yesterday.

Conor Brady of the Garda Ombudsman Commission, which begins work next year, said internal disciplinary procedures would have to be toughened up.

“The difficulty of getting convictions from a jury is clear. Juries are very reluctant. You saw it in the May Day protests, people were seen on television doing unspeakable things, and they were acquitted by a jury.

“DS (John) White in Donegal was acquitted by a jury.

“Putting something to a jury probably doesn’t get the right result. In the case of the garda the way forward will be a disciplinary system that is similar to normal industrial relations.”

He was responding to the Morris Tribunal reports, which highlighted corruption and misbehaviour in garda activity in Donegal.

The tribunal concluded that suspended garda Det Sgt John White was responsible for planting a shotgun at a halting site in Co Donegal. He had been acquitted of the charge by jury.

Mr Brady said the Inspectorate and the Ombudsman Commission will improve the situation and that new disciplinary regulations will make it easier for garda management to deal with insubordinate, undisciplined or corrupt members.

PJ Stone, general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, urged the commission not to speak out publicly on all matters.

He said public comment would dent confidence in his members’ ability to see they are carrying out their role independently.

He also stressed that the entire force is not corrupt, with a large number of members doing a job under very difficult circumstances.