Informant system of limited use, say detectives

The Garda informant intelligence system has "limited, if any, credibility" with the majority of detectives and senior gardaí, according to the Garda Inspectorate.

In its Crime Investigation report, the inspectorate said safeguards around the handling of informants brought in following the Donegal garda corruption inquiry were “inhibiting” the use of the system.

The findings raise serious question marks over the effectiveness of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources system, which was introduced in 2006 in light of the damning findings of the Morris Tribunal.