Policing

Garda informants should be allowed to commit crimes, the Garda Inspectorate has recommended in a new report. The conduct of so-called 'covert human intelligence sources' (CHIS) is currently governed by the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, which does not enable or permit authorisation of any

A man who was told the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) did not have the resources to investigate his complaint has been granted leave for a judicial review. Raymond Quinn, a former compliance officer with a New York securities firm who is now retired and living in Co Donegal, compl

A mural commissioned by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) warns that Garda use of facial recognition technology could lead to innocent people being misidentified as criminal suspects, with women and people of colour at increased risk.

Northern Ireland’s High Court has dismissed a challenge from the Police Ombudsman to a decision by the chief constable of the PSNI to hold a misconduct meeting in respect of a death in detention. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Humphreys determined that the relevant

Senior appointments to An Garda Síochána and its oversight bodies have been announced ahead of the commencement of landmark reforms later this year. Barrister Dr Elaine Byrne has been designated for appointment as the inaugural chair of the new Policing and Community Safety Authority (

A judge has rejected an application by the PSNI which sought to force news companies to hand over unbroadcast and unpublished journalistic material. DWF partner Olivia O'Kane acted on behalf of Channel 4 News, ITN, Press Association and UTV in the proceedings before Judge Gordon Kerr QC of the Crown

Lawyers, journalists and activists who suspect they have been spied on by the PSNI have been urged to complain before an impending deadline. London lawyer Angus McCullough KC is leading an independent inquiry into alleged PSNI surveillance of journalists, lawyers, non-governmental organisations and

The UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) is expected to rule by the end of the year on a case brought by Northern Ireland journalists alleging unlawful police surveillance. Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey were arrested in 2018 following the release of No Stone Unturned, their documentary about

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has been slapped with a £750,000 fine over its unprecedented data breach last year. The force inadvertently published the names, roles and other personal details of all serving police officers and civilian staff on its website just over a year ago.

The UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) has today begun examining the PSNI surveillance complaint brought by investigative journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey. The two journalists were arrested in 2018 following the release of No Stone Unturned, their documentary about the 1994 Loughi

A lawyer representing thousands of officers involved in the PSNI data breach has welcomed proposed mediation in the case. The unprecedented PSNI data breach last year saw the names, roles and other personal details of all serving police officers and civilian staff inadvertently published on its webs

Gráinne Berrill has been designated for appointment as director of the new National Office for Community Safety. The new office is to be established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 when it is commenced later this year and will lead on the establishment of new local

The High Court has refused to direct discovery of a Garda investigation file concerning the sexual abuse of the plaintiff by a priest where the Norwich Pharmacal necessity requirement had not been satisfied. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Liam Kennedy stated: “I have no dou

An independent review of the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to commence on Monday. Paul Sweeney, former permanent secretary in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, has been appointed to lead the review.

The policing minister of England and Wales had her handbag stolen at a conference of senior police officers this week. Dame Diana Johnson delivered a speech at the annual Police Superintendents’ Conference on Tuesday detailing how the UK government plans to improve neighbourhood policing.