The Cooke Report into GSOC sweep an "exercise in smoke and mirrors"

The Cooke report into why GSOC carried a security sweep of its offices following fears of bugging was described as an "exercise in smoke and mirrors" by the Irish Council of Civil Liberties.

The report found that while it was impossible — based on the available technological information — to rule out the possibility of covert surveillance, there was a lack of evidence to show that it took place on a level first reported in The Sunday Times or “much less” that it was carried out by the gardaí.

Mark Kelly, director of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, questioned the original terms of reference set by the Government when it announced the establishment of the inquiry in February.