Dr Vicky Conway calls on the government to take urgent action to secure the rights of criminal suspects. The shocking treatment of Joanne Hayes and her family by gardaí was back in the spotlight this week, with allegations of garda brutality, forced confession and fabricated statements laid b
Policing
The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has identified "collusive behaviours" in the RUC's handling of a number of paramilitary attacks by the UDA/UFF between 1989 and 1993. The attacks included 19 murders and multiple attempted murders, including the murder of Sinn Féin councillor Eddie Fu
The Policing Authority has published its review of 2021 which provides an overview of the breadth and depth of the work it has undertaken this year. The review highlights key areas of focus for the Authority’s oversight, as well as providing data relating to senior Garda appointments, public c
Proposals for reforms to Northern Ireland's policing oversight and accountability structures have gone out to consultation. The consultation document sets out recommendations arising from the justice minister's "stocktake" of policing oversight and accountability, as well as recommendations made by
Judge Rory MacCabe has been nominated by ministers for appointment as the next chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). Currently a Circuit Court judge, he will also be elevated to the High Court "in light of the significance of the role", justice minister Helen M
Gardaí are influencing the selection of criminal defence solicitors for detainees in the absence of a consistent and transparent process, new research suggests. A new paper by legal academics Professor Yvonne Daly and Dr Vicky Conway, published in the Journal of Law and Society, explores the
Officers abusing their position for sexual purposes is now the single largest form of police corruption in England and Wales, a watchdog has said. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the number of people facing disciplinary proceedings for APSP has "risen sharply" in the past three
Proposals for improved garda oversight are essential to the garda reform process and must not be watered down, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) will tell legislators this week. Doireann Ansbro, head of legal and policy for ICCL, will address the Oireachtas justice committee on Wednesday
Wayne Couzens, the Metropolitan Police firearms officer who falsely arrested, kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard, has been sentenced to a whole life order.
The High Court has dismissed an application to hold police responsible for dismantling a dangerous bonfire, finding that the threat of “widespread unrest” outweighed the effects of the anti-social and unlawful behaviour. The emergency application was brought by AB, who lives in the vicin
A judge with oversight of speeding ticket cancellations has said he is "uneasy" about gardaí claiming exemptions for speeding on their way to and from court hearings. Judge Matthew Deery, the independent oversight authority for the Garda fixed charge processing system (FCPS) cancellation poli
Serving and retired judges of the superior courts have been invited to express interest in appointment as the next chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). Justice minister Heather Humphreys yesterday launched the process to find a replacement for Ms Justice Mary
Plans to give more powers to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to investigate wrongdoing by gardaí have reportedly been criticised as "draconian" by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Mr Harris told the Oireachtas justice committee that gardaí under investigatio
A review of policing in South Armagh has recommended closer collaboration between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.
The Metropolitan Police could adopt a gender-neutral uniform for all police officers following a consultation of officers. The UK's largest police force said it would consult staff ahead of the contract with its current uniform provider expiring in 2023.