Plea for policing inquiry to have its freedom

The new policing commission must be “wholly independent” of the Government and should examine the Garda’s relationship with the Department of Justice, a leading policing expert has said.

Prof Dermot Walsh told the Irish Examiner he was “surprised and disappointed” that yesterday’s statement by the Tánaiste, announcing the commission, “told us nothing” about its composition and the talents and experience of members, or how its recommendations would be implemented.

The Kent Law School academic said that without this and other basic information it was “very difficult to assess whether this reflects a genuine commitment to effect a fundamental reform of policing in Ireland or just another exercise in being seen to be active”.