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.