McDowell to begin implementing garda reforms on Friday

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has announced plans to begin implementing his reforms of An Garda Siochana from Friday.

The reforms are contained in the Garda Siochana Act that was voted through the Dáil by the Government earlier this summer and signed into law by the President on Sunday.

Mr McDowell said the new requirement for gardaí to account for their actions while on duty and a requirement for the Garda Commissioner to be accountable to the Government would be introduced on Friday along with some other new provisions.

However, he said the section of the legislation relating to the establishment of a Garda Ombudsman Commission would not be implemented for a number of months.