Better conditions needed for Garda interviewing of children, say UCC experts

UCC researchers said it was “extremely concerning” that children spoken to reported mistreatment during garda questioning – and said this had to be addressed as a “matter of urgency”.

The lack of suitable facilities for the interviewing of children by gardaí and the need to use language minors can understand during questioning have been raised as key issues by academics.

In the first study of its type, researchers attached to University College Cork said it was “extremely concerning” that children spoken to reported mistreatment during Garda questioning – and said this had to be addressed as a “matter of urgency”.