Drew Harris

The phone line is one of a package of measures introduced by the new Garda Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) to deal with misconduct and criminality.

Other measures include an anti-corruption education programme, which has been created in association with Deloitte, as well as an “integrity network” of gardaí across the country which aims to support the work of ACU officers.

The measures come in the wake of findings by the Commission on the Future of Policing and the Garda Inspectorate, both of whom detailed a number of risks faced by the Garda as a consequence of corruption. These include improper relationships with witnesses and sources and the use of drugs.

At present, the Garda is dealing with several major corruption investigations, among them allegations that members were complicit in passing on sensitive information to the Hutch organised crime gang.

Commissioner Drew Harris, who was in Ennis yesterday to address the Clare Joint Policing Committee, said his basic duty was to ensure the organisation conducts itself properly and that the public is confident in its members.

“At the same time when you are a member of An Garda Síochána going around your duties, it is very stressful to have colleagues that you work alongside that you have a doubt about as well,” he said.

“It is my responsibility to support the vast, vast majority of gardaí doing their job to make sure that they are not working alongside people whose standards are not at the required level.”