Whistleblower system sees at least three garda contacts

A NEW confidential system for reporting corruption or malpractice within An Garda Síochána has received at least three contacts from gardaí since it was set up last June.

While the system was announced in April 2007, it did not start functioning until four months ago.

It was set up following recommendations by the Morris tribunal for a confidential “whistleblower” system within the force to prevent the type of Garda abuses that took place in Donegal in the 1990s.

The system involves a confidential reporting charter setting out the procedures for gardaí and civilian members of the force to pass on information. This information is received by an external confidential recipient who is appointed by the minister for justice.

The information can also be received by confidential recipients appointed by the Garda commissioner.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern told the Dáil last week that nine confidential recipients have been appointed by Commissioner Fachtna Murphy.

Mr Ahern said the external recipient, Brian McCarthy, former secretary general to the President, said he had been contacted by three members of the force since he started.

There was no information as to whether any of the Garda recipients have been contacted.

Mr Ahern said the commissioner had issued a confidential reporting charter to members of the force, which contained contact details of the recipients, including Mr McCarthy.

These details are not being released outside the Garda. Mr Ahern said the Garda Ombudsman Commission was there to take complaints from the public.

He said Mr McCarthy worked out of department offices. In light of his likely work load, Mr McCarthy had not been assigned staff. Civil servants could assist him on a part-time basis, in addition to their normal work.