Policing watchdog slams report delay

A Garda finding that their public order operation at the Jobstown water charge protest in November 2014 was a success was described as “an extraordinary conclusion” at the Policing Authority yesterday.

The authority strongly criticised acting commissioner Dónall O’Cualáin over the fact that Garda HQ only gave them the report of their review into the incident at 6.30pm on Wednesday — despite the fact it had been completed last October.

Authority member Bob Collins suggested this was either a “tactic” of Garda management or displayed “some measure of disregard” by them or that it was another “uncanny coincide” in the late provision of reports.