Watchdog: Deep unease over failings within force

The Policing Authority has expressed serious concern at “systemic performance and management failures” within An Garda Síochána and “deep unease” at the organisation and management culture of the force.

After meeting with Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan in relation to the O’Higgins report, the Policing Authority issued a detailed statement in which it:

• Demanded an urgent response by gardaí to the findings and recommendations of O’Higgins;
• Expressed serious concern at the reoccurrence of performance failures identified by previous inquiries, “including in particular the Morris Tribunal and various Garda Inspectorate Reports”;
• Expressed particular concern for the impact on the victims of crime who were entitled to expect a professional and competent service from gardaí “and who didn’t get it”;
• Expressed deep unease at the organisation and management culture, including attitudes to speaking out as evident in the report.