Whistleblowers charter for gardaí announced

SWEEPING new reforms were yesterday revealed by Justice Minister Michael McDowell that will allow serving gardaí to report internal corruption or malpractice to an independent source.

The initiative is part of the new Garda Síochána Bill, and Justice Minister Michael McDowell said yesterday the reforms went further than those called for by Justice Frederick Morris in August this year during his inquiry into corrupt gardaí in Donegal.

“This new charter will protect conscientious Gardaí who seek to do their duty and expose wrongdoing. It will mean an end to the cover-up and collusion witnessed in cases in the past.”