SF calls for penalty points 'paper trail' amid fresh whistleblower claims

Gardaí who wipe out penalty points are being told to leave behind a "paper trail" to explain their decision.

The call from Sinn Féin follows fresh allegations about abuses in the system.

Yesterday, it was revealed that whistleblower, Maurice McCabe, said points are still being quashed for family and friends of members of the force.

Sergeant McCabe's original allegations that Gardaí were routinely abusing their discretionary powers were upheld by the Guerin report in May.

GSOC is to independently examine the new allegations.

Sinn Féin's Justice spokesman Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said there will be genuine cases, but they need to be backed up with proof.

He said: "I do think there a genuine cases, for example if somebody was rushing to hospital in a medical emergency, and we have to allow for that.

"But there should be a paper trail, there should be evidence that they were going to hospital, a simple note from the hospital to prove that.

"We do need to leave room for exceptional cases, but we need clear evidence and a paper trail demonstrating why."