Gardaí to launch review after Belfast trial collapses over interview conduct

Last week, Damien McLaughlin, 41, was found not guilty in a non-jury trial in Belfast Crown Court of aiding and abetting the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black in 2012.

The judge criticised gardaí who interviewed Mr McLaughlin, finding that he was subject to “threats and inducements” and “excessive” profanity.

Commenting on the review, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan told RTÉ News: “I don’t want to go into detail on the matter of the evidence as tendered, but I do welcome the fact that an investigation is underway and I look forward to a speedy conclusion.”

Maeve O’Rourke, senior research and policy officer at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), added: “The right to a fair trial is absolutely fundamental to democracy and the conduct of interviews is fundamental to preserving the right to a fair trial.

“Gardaí need to be trained and know that they’re accountable to the human rights of everybody they come into contact with, so this kind of language, these activities during interview, are highly concerning.”