Garda station spot checks sought

The head of the Garda Inspectorate has said it needs to have the power to conduct unannounced spot checks on Garda stations and “not to have to make an appointment to visit”.

Chief Inspector Mark Toland said it wants to focus more on human rights issues and in order to do that, it had to be able to visit Garda stations at a time of its own choosing.

He told the Oireachtas justice committee that current legislative proposals contain such a provision but stipulate that any such visit would require the prior permission of the justice minister.