Supreme Court decision could lead to lower garda standards, counsel claims

A leading senior counsel claims that a key Supreme Court ruling this week could lead to Garda standards slipping.

On Wednesday

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This rule barred the State from using evidence gathered in breach of a constitutional right, regardless of whether there was a deliberate or mistaken breach of the law in obtaining that evidence.

Senior Counsel Michael O’Higgins thinks the new ruling will lead to slipping standards:

"Hitherto, the consequences of not doing what needs to be done correctly … were significant. Now they're far less significant.

"If you can convince the court that you weren't breaching someone's right where you aware that you were doing it, there is a get-out clause now."

"Invariably, standards will slip. That is inevitable."