Garda chief announces custody record form initiative

DETAILED custody record forms are to be given to the country’s 703 Garda stations “in the very near future” according to Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy.

The news comes just days after a report was published into the detention and death of 14-year-old Brian Rossiter, who died days after he was arrested and held by gardaí in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

Mr Murphy said training procedures may be required to administer custody sheets and he added he was also looking at further training programmes to enhance the capabilities of the 14,000 gardaí and 2,000 civilian administration back-up personnel under his command.

Mr Murphy added that he had no immediate plans to provide so-called non-fatal equipment, such as Tasers (high-voltage stun guns) available to ordinary gardaí in the field to combat violent criminals.

He was commenting on the recent and first use in the country of a Taser to stun an alleged serious criminal in Limerick by the Emergency Response Unit (ERU).

The commissioner said that he was “proud” that in the main most gardaí under his command were unarmed and he wanted to keep it that way.

But he added that if “his people” needed the necessary weapons to arrest gangland killers they would be provided with them.

Mr Murphy explained that he has the “utmost confidence” in the Garda management’s leadership in Limerick to tackle the challenge of the city’s waring crimelords.

“Recent arrests show that gardaí are doing their jobs. I’ve committed huge resources,” said the Garda boss.

He added that he was monitoring that situation and if more resources were needed he would act appropriately.

The commissioner hinted that he would bolster Garda numbers in Limerick if needs be, to win the battle against the fighting factions so that law and order would prevail.

He was speaking at a civic reception last night where he was honoured the by Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Donal Counihan.

Mr Counihan described the commissioner, who is from Timoleague, Co Cork, as a particularly worthy recipient.

In response, Mr Murphy said that he was proud to receive the honour and took it on behalf of all the men and women who worked for him in the force.