Vicky Conway: Not too late for State to atone for past crimes

'Crimes and Confessions' showed there was  something very wrong in Irish policing in the 70s and 80s, and while the Heavy Gang may no longer exist, suspects are still not always afforded the protections and safeguards they deserve

Joanne Hayes at the hearing of the Kerry Babies Tribunal in 1985. The focus on the Kerry babies case brought to light new evidence not previously made public. File photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The shocking treatment of Joanne Hayes and her family by gardaí was back in the spotlight this week, with allegations of garda brutality, forced confession and fabricated statements laid bare in the final episode of Crimes and Confessions. 

The series, which finished airing on RTÉ on Monday, examined three of the most notorious miscarriages of justice cases in 1970s and 1980s Ireland and was an eviscerating account of the work of the 'Heavy Gang'. That was the term applied to a group of gardaí who were alleged to have assaulted and threatened suspects and used other forms of pressure on them during that time.