Garda Ombudsman’s office asks court to overturn costs order following road traffic case

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) wants the High Court to overturn a costs order made against it by a District Judge who described its investigation into a road accident involving a couple and an off-duty garda as “one sided” and “disgraceful”.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) wants the High Court to overturn a costs order made against it by a District Judge who described its investigation into a road accident involving a couple and an off-duty garda as “one sided” and “disgraceful”.

The 2015 order requiring GSOC pay the District Court costs of Maeve and Fintan O’Brien after the DPP withdrew a prosecution of charges against them arising from the 2011 accident is "contrary to public policy" and could inhibit GSOC carrying out its investigative functions, Eileen O’Leary SC, for GSOC, argued.