Ombudsman: GSOC ‘left adrift in sea of legislative sludge’

The judge at the helm of the Garda Ombudsman has said GSOC has at times been “left adrift in a sea of legislative sludge without a paddle”, and looked forward to members of an Oireachtas committee “taking on the role of the O’Donovan brothers” and paddling the watchdog to clearer waters.

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring made the remarks as she welcomed the publication yesterday of a report by the Oireachtas justice committee which called for significant new powers for GSOC, including legislative capabilities to compel the Garda commissioner to cooperate with their inquiries.

The report, unanimously backed by the cross-party committee, also urged a major expansion in the powers of the Policing Authority to directly supervise the work of Garda bosses, including the commissioner, and have the power to remove them from office.