State spent €6.3m to settle claims against gardaí

The State spent almost €6.3m last year to settle legal actions taken against gardaí — the most in almost a decade.

Statistics from the Department of Justice show that while just €33,500 was paid out in three court awards, another €3.9m was paid to settle 43 other actions. The number of cases settled was the highest since 2010.

Another €2.3m was paid to 103 individuals in legal costs, bringing the total to €6,290,000 last year — the highest annual total since over €7m was paid in 2008.