Ombudsman receives 2,000 complaints against gardaí

Over 2,000 complaints were made by members of the public against gardaí last year.

The Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) annual report shows that over 50% of the allegations relate to abuse of authority and neglect of duty by members of the force.

The largest number of complaints were made against the Garda division covering the south side of Dublin city centre.

Some 26% of the 2,097 complaints related to abuse of authority, a quarter to neglect of duty, discourtesy accounted for 18% and 15% to assault.

Some 104 referrals were made to the GSOC by the Garda Commissioner in cases where the conduct of an officer may have resulted in death or serious harm.

In all 146 gardaí were disciplined and one was convicted in court.