Letters to the Editor: GDPR and red tape are slowing down criminal investigations

GDPR is forcing investigators to seek Section 10 warrants for minor matters, writes former Garda sergeant Christy Galligan

Gardaí are now forced to get Section 10 warrants from court — 'even for minor matters, such as finding out if a suspect vehicle passed through a toll booth during or after the commission of a crime'. Picture: Dan Linehan  

The investigation and detection of crime are very important pillars which all police forces around the world rely on.

The first 24 hours of any investigation is critical. This is where witnesses and suspects are identified, arrests made if necessary. Forensics, scenes of crime, IT experts, and a host of other investigative experts, are brought to bear.