False or misleading statements to Gsoc led to 12 prosecutions

Garda staff associations have long complained about vexatious or malicious complaints from certain members of the public against gardaí

In a statement, Gsoc pointed out that, while it conducts the investigation, the decision on whether or not to bring charges is taken by the DPP on foot of examining the Gsoc file. File picture

Some 12 prosecutions have been taken in the last six years against people who provided false or misleading statements to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc). Nine of the investigation files submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions related to members of the public and three involved gardaí.

Figures show that, of the six prosecutions that have concluded, there were four successful convictions – with one overturned on appeal - of members of the public, while two of the prosecutions against garda members were dismissed by the courts.