'Allow garda informants engage in crime' while undercover, says Garda Inspectorate report

The report is also critical at delays, spanning 12 years, in developing a National Criminal Intelligence Framework and calls for it to be introduced as a 'matter of urgency'

Echoing calls from oversight judges over the years, the inspectorate urged the Department of Justice to "expedite" laws to give gardaí the power to access open and encrypted communications used by gangs. Picture: Derick Hudson/Getty

Laws should be changed to allow criminal informants for gardaí to engage in crime as a tactic to tackle gangs, the Garda Inspectorate has said.

The official body also said laws are needed to allow gardaí themselves to engage in undercover work inside gangs, as happens in many other countries.