Fears for GSOC as staff levels fall 20%

Fresh concerns are being expressed at the ability of the Garda ombudsman to do its job effectively after figures show staff levels have been cut by more than 20% since 2007.

There are 21 fewer staff at the watchdog compared to when it was set up over six years ago.

Even under the reduced 2013 staff levels sanctioned by the Department of Justice, the ombudsman still has nine vacancies. The body has lost up to six of its most senior investigators in little over a year.