Gardaí have common law powers to use their own discretion, court hears

Trial of four gardaí and a retired superintendent is being held at Limerick Circuit Court

Four gardaí and a retired superintendent are accused of 'engaging in conduct tending and that intended to pervert the course of justice', after a probe by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Picture: iStock

Gardaí have “common law powers” to use their own “discretion” when dealing with the public, a trial of gardaí accused of unlawfully interfering in road traffic offences has heard.

Four gardaí and a retired superintendent are accused of “engaging in conduct tending and that intended to pervert the course of justice”, following a probe conducted by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).