Inquiries into Garda scandals cost €107m

Investigations into garda malpractice scandals involving bugging allegations, corruption, false claims Roma children were abducted, seemingly lost evidence and failures to prevent high-profile crimes have cost taxpayers a massive €107m in the past decade.

The Department of Justice admitted the significant costs were accrued due to necessary state investigations into the controversies at the latest Dáil public accounts committee meeting yesterday.

Speaking during discussions with the cross-party body, the Department of Justice’s acting secretary general Noel Waters said throughout the economic crash the clear service shortfalls have seen badly needed funds diverted as part of necessary investigations.