Department of Justice ‘critically conflicted’ over relationship with An Garda Síochána

The Policing Authority has said the Department of Justice is “critically conflicted” in its relationship with An Garda Síochána — both supporting the service on a daily basis and holding it to account.

The authority said it was evident the department and minister for justice were a “very strong presence in the day-to-day thinking and culture” of the gardaí, which historically has had “unwelcome consequences”.

The authority said the Garda oversight structure was “operating in silos” and was “too complex and cumbersome”.