Probe into homicide statistics claims

The Policing Authority is to examine the dramatic comments on Garda homicide statistics by two Garda civilian experts at Wednesday’s Oireachtas justice committee and consider if “action is needed”.

Authority chair Josephine Feehily is to appear before the committee on March 21, where she will address the matter and explain the work of the authority over the last year in examining the issue.

The two civilians told the committee of their serious concerns regarding the quality of homicide statistics — and questions over some investigations — and how they felt their concerns were dismissed by gardaí and claimed they were put under “significant pressure” to sign off on statistics they could not stand over.