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{{Merge from|Guerin Report|2014 Garda phone recordings controversy|John Wilson (Garda)|Maurice McCabe|Martin Callinan|Gemma O'Doherty|discuss=Talk:2014 Garda Síochána controversy#Merger proposal|date=June 2014}} |
{{Merge from|Guerin Report|2014 Garda phone recordings controversy|John Wilson (Garda)|Maurice McCabe|Martin Callinan|Gemma O'Doherty|discuss=Talk:2014 Garda Síochána controversy#Merger proposal|date=June 2014}} |
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In 2013 and 2014, '''[[Garda Síochána|An Garda Síochána]]''' (Ireland's national police force) was involved in numerous controversies, including allegations that members had inappropriately cancelled driving [[Point system (driving)|penalty points]], that the offices of the [[Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission]] (GSOC) had been bugged, revelations that telephone calls at Garda stations had been recorded for decades, the case of Jerry McGrath (who was convicted of murdering Sylvia Roche-Kelly in [[Limerick]] while on bail in 2007) and other allegations of serious Garda misconduct. |
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Garda Commissioner [[Martin Callinan]] resigned over his "disgusting" remarks about whistleblowers such as [[Maurice McCabe|Sergeant Maurice McCabe]] and [[John Wilson (Garda)|John Wilson]]. Minister for Justice [[Alan Shatter]] resigned after revealing personal details about a political opponent while debating the issue of cancelled penalty points live on national television. A commission of investigation was set up into the recording of telephone calls at Garda stations. |
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==Timeline== |
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In September 2013, a report of the Irish [[Comptroller and Auditor General#Ireland|Comptroller and Auditor General]] said that significant revenue had been lost by the state owing to irregularities in the application of the [[Penalty points in Ireland|penalty points]] system for driving offences.<ref name=timeline>[http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/timeline-martin-callinan-and-the-penalty-points-controversy-1.1737524 Timeline: Martin Callinan and the penalty points controversy], ''Irish Times'', 25 March 2014</ref> The Garda Commissioner, [[Martin Callinan]], appearing thefore the Public Accounts Committee of the [[Oireachtas]] (Irish legislature) on 23 January 2014, said there was no evidence that Gardaí had cancelled penalty points for relatives or friends.<ref>Joe Humphreys, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/commissioner-says-no-evidence-of-garda%C3%AD-doing-favours-for-family-or-friends-1.1666159 Commissioner says no evidence of gardaí doing ‘favours’ for family or friends], ''Irish Times'', 24 January 2014</ref> Referring to two [[Whistleblower]]s, Garda [[Maurice McCabe]] and former Garda [[John Wilson (Garda)|John Wilson]], who had made allegations of widespread corruption with regard to penalty points, Callinan said, "Frankly, on a personal level, I think it’s quite disgusting.”<ref>[http://www.thejournal.ie/martin-callinan-evidence-to-the-pac-1278914-Jan2014/ ‘The facts as I know them’: 11 things we learned from Martin Callinan’s evidence to the PAC], ''The Journal'', 23 January 2014</ref> McCabe gave evidence in private to the Public Accounts Committee on 30 January.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0130/501040-pac-penalty-points/ Garda whistleblower gives evidence at PAC], RTÉ, 30 January 2014</ref> A Garda Inspectorate report, published on 12 March 2014, said there were "consistent and widespread breaches of policy" in regard to penalty points.<ref name=timeline/> Callinan came under increasing pressure to withdraw the "disgusting" remark, and resigned on 25 March 2014.<ref name=timeline/> |
In September 2013, a report of the Irish [[Comptroller and Auditor General#Ireland|Comptroller and Auditor General]] said that significant revenue had been lost by the state owing to irregularities in the application of the [[Penalty points in Ireland|penalty points]] system for driving offences.<ref name=timeline>[http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/timeline-martin-callinan-and-the-penalty-points-controversy-1.1737524 Timeline: Martin Callinan and the penalty points controversy], ''Irish Times'', 25 March 2014</ref> The Garda Commissioner, [[Martin Callinan]], appearing thefore the Public Accounts Committee of the [[Oireachtas]] (Irish legislature) on 23 January 2014, said there was no evidence that Gardaí had cancelled penalty points for relatives or friends.<ref>Joe Humphreys, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/commissioner-says-no-evidence-of-garda%C3%AD-doing-favours-for-family-or-friends-1.1666159 Commissioner says no evidence of gardaí doing ‘favours’ for family or friends], ''Irish Times'', 24 January 2014</ref> Referring to two [[Whistleblower]]s, Garda [[Maurice McCabe]] and former Garda [[John Wilson (Garda)|John Wilson]], who had made allegations of widespread corruption with regard to penalty points, Callinan said, "Frankly, on a personal level, I think it’s quite disgusting.”<ref>[http://www.thejournal.ie/martin-callinan-evidence-to-the-pac-1278914-Jan2014/ ‘The facts as I know them’: 11 things we learned from Martin Callinan’s evidence to the PAC], ''The Journal'', 23 January 2014</ref> McCabe gave evidence in private to the Public Accounts Committee on 30 January.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0130/501040-pac-penalty-points/ Garda whistleblower gives evidence at PAC], RTÉ, 30 January 2014</ref> A Garda Inspectorate report, published on 12 March 2014, said there were "consistent and widespread breaches of policy" in regard to penalty points.<ref name=timeline/> Callinan came under increasing pressure to withdraw the "disgusting" remark, and resigned on 25 March 2014.<ref name=timeline/> |
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An ''[[Irish Independent]]'' journalist, [[Gemma O'Doherty]], took an unfair dismissal claim against the newpaper, claiming she was sacked after visiting Callinan's home as part of her investigation into the penalty points controversy.<ref>Fiona Gartland, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/former-independent-reporter-s-unfair-dismissal-case-adjourned-1.1790161 Former ‘Independent’ reporter’s unfair dismissal case adjourned], ''Irish Times'', 10 May 2014</ref> |
An ''[[Irish Independent]]'' journalist, [[Gemma O'Doherty]], took an unfair dismissal claim against the newpaper, claiming she was sacked after visiting Callinan's home as part of her investigation into the penalty points controversy.<ref>Fiona Gartland, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/former-independent-reporter-s-unfair-dismissal-case-adjourned-1.1790161 Former ‘Independent’ reporter’s unfair dismissal case adjourned], ''Irish Times'', 10 May 2014</ref> |
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===Other issues investigated by Guerin=== |
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{{further|Guerin Report}} |
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Maurice McCabe, in addition to his evidence on penalty points, made allegations of Garda misconduct on a number of other occasions. The government appointed a [[Senior Counsel]], Seán Guerin, to investigate these claims.<ref>Éanna Ó Caollaí and Fiach Kelly, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/barrister-to-examine-whistleblower-s-claims-1.1704000 Barrister to examine whistleblower’s claims], ''Irish Times'', 25 February 2014</ref> The [[Guerin Report]], published on 9 May 2014, said that nine of the ten cases reported by McCabe merited investigation by a commission of enquiry.<ref>Harry McGee, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/guerin-report-exposes-shatter-s-shortcomings-1.1789938 Guerin report exposes Shatter’s shortcomings], ''Irish Times'', 9 May 2014</ref> |
Maurice McCabe, in addition to his evidence on penalty points, made allegations of Garda misconduct on a number of other occasions. The government appointed a [[Senior Counsel]], Seán Guerin, to investigate these claims.<ref>Éanna Ó Caollaí and Fiach Kelly, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/barrister-to-examine-whistleblower-s-claims-1.1704000 Barrister to examine whistleblower’s claims], ''Irish Times'', 25 February 2014</ref> The [[Guerin Report]], published on 9 May 2014, said that nine of the ten cases reported by McCabe merited investigation by a commission of enquiry.<ref>Harry McGee, [http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/guerin-report-exposes-shatter-s-shortcomings-1.1789938 Guerin report exposes Shatter’s shortcomings], ''Irish Times'', 9 May 2014</ref> |
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{{further|Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission#Surveillance controversy}} |
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On Sunday 9 February 2014, the Irish edition of ''The Sunday Times'' led with a story written by journalist John Mooney.<ref>http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/article1373695.ece</ref> In it he outlined how the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission had suspected that it was under surveillance. Mooney explained how GSOC had hired the services of a UK counter-surveillance firm, Verrimus, to investigate.<ref>http://www.verrimus.com/</ref> |
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===Telephone recordings at Garda stations=== |
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{{further|2014 Garda phone recordings controversy}} |
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These were revealed in the wake of [[Martin Callinan]]'s resignation Tuesday 25 March 2014. The revelation had a major impact on court cases,<ref name=it-inquiry-into-tapped-phones>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/inquiry-set-up-into-taped-phone-calls-at-garda-stations-1.1737610|title=Inquiry set up into taped phone calls at Garda stations|first=Fiach|last=Kelly|work=The Irish Times|date=25 March 2014|accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=ii-major-revelations-on-recording-of-conversations>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/major-revelations-on-recording-of-conversations-in-garda-stations-30124162.html|title=Major revelations on recording of conversations in Garda stations|first=Fionnan|last=Sheahan|work=Irish Independent|date=25 March 2014|accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=bbc-concerns-over-Gardai-secret-phone-recordings>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26737264|title=Irish inquiry: Concerns over Gardai secret phone recordings|work=BBC News|date=25 March 2014|accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref> with the first trial to be affected being that of two men suspected of IRA membership on 26 March.<ref>{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Kavanagh|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/request-for-garda-phone-tapes-adjourns-ira-trial-30127742.html|title=First court case affected by the taping revelations as counsel questions whether her client's conversation with solicitor was recorded|work=Irish Independent|date=26 March 2014|accessdate=26 March 2014}}</ref> In response to Callinan's resignation, his Deputy Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan was selected as provisional Garda Commissioner.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1231777/irish-police-probe-over-phone-tapping-claims|title=Irish Police Probe Over Phone Tapping Claims: A government inquiry is launched over allegations phone calls in police stations in Ireland were illegally bugged for years|work=[[Sky News]]|date=25 March 2014|accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref> The Irish government set up a statutory commission of investigation into the practice of recording telephone calls.<ref name=it-inquiry-into-tapped-phones/><ref name=ii-major-revelations-on-recording-of-conversations/><ref name=bbc-concerns-over-Gardai-secret-phone-recordings/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 17:32, 11 June 2014
 | It has been suggested that Guerin Report, 2014 Garda phone recordings controversy, John Wilson (Garda), Maurice McCabe, Martin Callinan and Gemma O'Doherty be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since June 2014. |
In 2013 and 2014, An Garda Síochána (Ireland's national police force) was involved in numerous controversies, including allegations that members had inappropriately cancelled driving penalty points, that the offices of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) had been bugged, revelations that telephone calls at Garda stations had been recorded for decades, the case of Jerry McGrath (who was convicted of murdering Sylvia Roche-Kelly in Limerick while on bail in 2007) and other allegations of serious Garda misconduct.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan resigned over his "disgusting" remarks about whistleblowers such as Sergeant Maurice McCabe and John Wilson. Minister for Justice Alan Shatter resigned after revealing personal details about a political opponent while debating the issue of cancelled penalty points live on national television. A commission of investigation was set up into the recording of telephone calls at Garda stations.
Timeline
Penalty points issues
In September 2013, a report of the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General said that significant revenue had been lost by the state owing to irregularities in the application of the penalty points system for driving offences.[1] The Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, appearing thefore the Public Accounts Committee of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature) on 23 January 2014, said there was no evidence that Gardaí had cancelled penalty points for relatives or friends.[2] Referring to two Whistleblowers, Garda Maurice McCabe and former Garda John Wilson, who had made allegations of widespread corruption with regard to penalty points, Callinan said, "Frankly, on a personal level, I think it’s quite disgusting.”[3] McCabe gave evidence in private to the Public Accounts Committee on 30 January.[4] A Garda Inspectorate report, published on 12 March 2014, said there were "consistent and widespread breaches of policy" in regard to penalty points.[1] Callinan came under increasing pressure to withdraw the "disgusting" remark, and resigned on 25 March 2014.[1]
An Irish Independent journalist, Gemma O'Doherty, took an unfair dismissal claim against the newpaper, claiming she was sacked after visiting Callinan's home as part of her investigation into the penalty points controversy.[5]
Other issues investigated by Guerin
Maurice McCabe, in addition to his evidence on penalty points, made allegations of Garda misconduct on a number of other occasions. The government appointed a Senior Counsel, Seán Guerin, to investigate these claims.[6] The Guerin Report, published on 9 May 2014, said that nine of the ten cases reported by McCabe merited investigation by a commission of enquiry.[7]
Allegations of GSOC surveillance
On Sunday 9 February 2014, the Irish edition of The Sunday Times led with a story written by journalist John Mooney.[8] In it he outlined how the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission had suspected that it was under surveillance. Mooney explained how GSOC had hired the services of a UK counter-surveillance firm, Verrimus, to investigate.[9]
Telephone recordings at Garda stations
These were revealed in the wake of Martin Callinan's resignation Tuesday 25 March 2014. The revelation had a major impact on court cases,[10][11][12] with the first trial to be affected being that of two men suspected of IRA membership on 26 March.[13] In response to Callinan's resignation, his Deputy Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan was selected as provisional Garda Commissioner.[14] The Irish government set up a statutory commission of investigation into the practice of recording telephone calls.[10][11][12]
References
- ^ a b c Timeline: Martin Callinan and the penalty points controversy, Irish Times, 25 March 2014
- ^ Joe Humphreys, Commissioner says no evidence of gardaí doing ‘favours’ for family or friends, Irish Times, 24 January 2014
- ^ ‘The facts as I know them’: 11 things we learned from Martin Callinan’s evidence to the PAC, The Journal, 23 January 2014
- ^ Garda whistleblower gives evidence at PAC, RTÉ, 30 January 2014
- ^ Fiona Gartland, Former ‘Independent’ reporter’s unfair dismissal case adjourned, Irish Times, 10 May 2014
- ^ Éanna Ó Caollaí and Fiach Kelly, Barrister to examine whistleblower’s claims, Irish Times, 25 February 2014
- ^ Harry McGee, Guerin report exposes Shatter’s shortcomings, Irish Times, 9 May 2014
- ^ http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/article1373695.ece
- ^ http://www.verrimus.com/
- ^ a b Kelly, Fiach (25 March 2014). "Inquiry set up into taped phone calls at Garda stations". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ^ a b Sheahan, Fionnan (25 March 2014). "Major revelations on recording of conversations in Garda stations". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Irish inquiry: Concerns over Gardai secret phone recordings". BBC News. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ^ Kavanagh, Brian (26 March 2014). "First court case affected by the taping revelations as counsel questions whether her client's conversation with solicitor was recorded". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ "Irish Police Probe Over Phone Tapping Claims: A government inquiry is launched over allegations phone calls in police stations in Ireland were illegally bugged for years". Sky News. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.