Another scandal - Garda whistleblowers

AN Garda Síochana has been undermined by scandal after scandal, by report after report over recent decades yet it is difficult to see how any of these indices of institutionalised dysfunction have been used to change the culture that facilitated various abuses — other than the relentless warnings that morale among gardaí is at an all-time low.

The sabre-rattling about a proposed strike by gardaí — an illegal strike, like it or not — includes the mandatory warning about morale but is thin enough on what measures have been taken to reform an organisation we all depend on and, by and large, and despite everything, still respect.

Today’s revelations about an organised campaign driven by senior garda management to undermine a whistleblower does not strengthen the hand of the force and will weaken any support for industrial action gardaí might consider.

Not only that, but it seems that it makes it impossible for the Government not to strengthen the powers of the Garda Ombudsman, which said recently they were unable to do their job properly because of garda intransigence.