Gardaí can’t hide behind the law

IF new legislation aimed at increasing garda accountability is to work, it is vital Justice Minister Michael McDowell should give it teeth.

It was utterly unacceptable that 125 members of the force declined to co-operate with an official Garda Complaints Board probe into garda reaction to the May Bank Holiday protest which saw crowds baton charged on the streets of Dublin.

Criticism of the Board by the GRA is unwarranted. If the public had refused to co-operate with such an investigation they would be charged with perverting the course of justice.

This scenario reflects badly on the gardaí. It also underscores the toothless nature of the complaints body and justifies moves to scrap it.

New legislation should not prejudice the constitutional rights of gardaí. But nor can they hide behind the law.

Perceptions have been heightened that one set of rules exists for the force while another exists for ordinary citizens.

The justice minister can be assured of very strong public support for his move to make the gardaí more accountable.